Watch List notes:

USA. Saudi Arabia. Abd al-'Aziz ibn al-Sa'ud. AH 1344-1373 (1926-1953).. Pound, .2354 (0h). . , 1947. 1 Pound. .2354oz. Philadelphia mint. Struck 1945-1946. Obv: American heraldic eagle, ingot punch of U.S. MINT, PHILADELPHIA. Rx: 3-line statement of gold weight. KM 35. Friedberg 191. Choice Unc $1800 In the 1940s, the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) was paying $3 million each year in oil revenues to the Saudi government, and its contract required that the payments be made in gold. To satisfy this request, Gold 4 Pounds and Pounds (Sovereigns) were struck at the Philadelphia mint. These bullion pieces would see limited circulation in the Saudi Kingdom (some Aramco workers were even known to use them for poker chips), but most were melted down into bullion and later sold as gold bars in Macao.. KM 35. AU

Ex Helianthus annuus Collection. Ex John F. Sullivan Collection