Original 1953 Saudi Arabia 10 Riyals P# 1 First Haj Pilgrimage

jmm2562

Hello Currency Experts,

I came across this note in my long lost collection of banknotes. In trying to assess the FMV, I first checked out ebay. To my surprise, it appears to be a very rare original P1 note from Saudi Arabia from the first Haj Pilgrimage in 1953. From the English text, the note is a receipt that is redeemable likely after participating in the Haj or at least in the vicinity.

There is a very similar note on eBay for $9.99 for a "COPY" of a rare original. I do not see any mark on the copy note to indicate it is a reproduction. This has me guessing whether my note is an original or copy. Given it's circulated condition and personal note on the back, I'm betting my note is an original issue of the rare banknote and pretty valuable.

I might send it out to an authority, but that would be ~$100 and several weeks in process. It would have to be a really good bet and worth it. Are there any experts out there to help guide my efforts? Does this note appear genuine or are there any artifacts that make it's authenticity questionable?

Thanks!

Jim (jmm2562)

jmm2562

From further research, a special serial number was used to indicate the note is a copy. Notice the serial number on this ebay auction specimen...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/396972965503

This raises confidence that my note is indeed genuine.

jmm2562

General Question:

Do wartime personal inscriptions generally add value to the note or does it adversely affect the grade and value?

The inscription on my note is...

"To Joe"
"From"
"John W James"
"American Overseas"

I assume the context is the Korean War, but note sure this is actually in play.

JBK

@jmm2562 said:
From further research, a special serial number was used to indicate the note is a copy. Notice the serial number on this ebay auction specimen...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/396972965503

This raises confidence that my note is indeed genuine.

Huh?

That person is selling copies that he or someone else made, with the front and back on separate pieces of paper, and one and a half times larger than the original. It would never be confused with an original note, regardless of serial number.

JBK

@jmm2562 said:
General Question:

Do wartime personal inscriptions generally add value to the note or does it adversely affect the grade and value?

The inscription on my note is...

"To Joe"
"From"
"John W James"
"American Overseas"

I assume the context is the Korean War, but note sure this is actually in play.

Unless the signature is someone famous or unless it's a common note used as a Short Snorter, for example, I'd expect that writing always devalues the note, and considerably.

I also don't know what suggests a wartime connection. The signer refers to himself as "American Overseas". I'd assume he was there for business, perhaps in the oil industry.

jmm2562

Unless the signature is someone famous or unless it's a common note used as a Short Snorter,
for example, I'd expect that writing always devalues the note, and considerably.

OK, sounds reasonable.

I also don't know what suggests a wartime connection. The signer refers to himself as "American Overseas".
I'd assume he was there for business, perhaps in the oil industry.

Yea, the wartime connection was a stretch. All the inscriptions I have seen were all during WWi or WWII.

Namvet69

I think a possibly important clue is "First issue 1372" but what do I know. Good luck. Peace Roy