The Saudi gold sovereign sold today weighs about 8 g and is usually 22K, with half (4 g) and quarter (2 g) sizes. The historic coin struck in 1950 weighs 7.98 g at 0.917 fineness, which is 22K. Some shops list 21K sovereigns, though, so don't assume: ask for the karat and the weight. Today the gold in 8 g of 22K is worth 3,426.64 SAR at the market price.
How much does a Saudi gold sovereign weigh, and what karat is it?
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Last updated: Source: metals.dev in Saudi riyals, dollars at the 3.75 peg · World benchmark: LBMA price · How we get our prices
Two coins, one name
"Saudi sovereign" (الجنيه السعودي) can mean two things:
| The historic guinea | The sovereign sold today | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A coin struck in 1950 (AH 1370) | A gold piece in the same style, sold by shops |
| Weight | 7.98 g | 8 g, plus 4 g and 2 g sizes |
| Fineness | 0.917 (22K) | Usually 22K, some 21K |
| Priced by | Gold value + collector value | Gold value + making charge + VAT |
The historic figures come from a coin catalogue listing 2,000,000 pieces, and the grading firm NGC says its specifications match the British sovereign. For today's piece, Al Saab Jewellery lists 8 g in 22K, and another of its pages says it usually comes in 21K and 22K. These are store pages, so check the piece itself.
How much pure gold is in it?
| Piece | Pure gold, approx. | Gold value today |
|---|---|---|
| 8 g sovereign, 22K | 7.33 g | 3,426.64 SAR |
| 8 g sovereign, 21K | 7.00 g | 3,270.88 SAR |
| 4 g half sovereign, 22K | 3.67 g | 1,713.32 SAR |
Same weight and look, but the karat changes the value, which is why it should be on the invoice. This is the gold alone; the shop price is higher because of the making charge and VAT.
Is there VAT on a sovereign?
The VAT Implementing Regulations zero-rate metal of 99% purity or higher. A 22K or 21K sovereign falls short of that, so you should expect 15%. Ask the shop and check the invoice. More in VAT on gold.
Sovereign or bar?
| 8 g sovereign | 10 g bar | |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | Usually 22K | 24K |
| VAT | Expect 15% | 0% at 99% or above |
| Use | A gift or small saving | Saving |
The main difference is VAT: 15% on the whole amount doesn't come back when you sell. If your goal is preserving value, price both for the same sum: how to buy a gold bar safely.
Beware of copies
The historic guinea is widely copied. NGC places it among the 25 most commonly counterfeited world coins, and notes commercial imitations that may have been made as jewellery or to sell gold by weight. Signs it mentions:
- Border and centre beads spaced further apart than on a genuine coin.
- An added Arabic inscription saying 22K, which a genuine coin doesn't carry.
- Weak lustre.
That matters if someone offers you an "old sovereign" at a collector's price. Pay that only after authentication by a specialist; otherwise value it as gold by weight and karat.
Before you buy
- Ask for the karat and weight, and have it weighed in front of you.
- Check the hallmark: how to check karat.
- Get an invoice showing the gram price, making charge and VAT.
- Work out its making charge per gram.
- Pay and collect hand to hand. Sheikh Ibn Baz saw no objection to trading sovereigns and bars this way.
Sovereigns held as savings also count towards zakat on gold once they reach the nisab.
Sources
- World Banknotes & Coins: Saudi Arabian Gold Coins, 1 Guinea: 1950 specifications.
- NGC: Counterfeit Detection: 1950 Saudi Arabia Guinea (24 February 2023).
- Al Saab Jewellery: gold sovereigns or bars (26 December 2024, Arabic) and Saudi gold sovereign weight (30 October 2024, Arabic). The second page isn't fully consistent on karat.
- ZATCA: VAT Implementing Regulations, Article 36 (Arabic).
- Sheikh Abdulaziz Ibn Baz: ruling on trading gold (Arabic).
- Pure gold is worked out from the karat: 8 × 22 ÷ 24 and 8 × 21 ÷ 24.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is a Saudi gold sovereign?
About 8 g, with a 4 g half and 2 g quarter. The historic 1950 coin weighs 7.98 g.
What karat is a Saudi gold sovereign?
Usually 22K, though some shops list 21K. Check the hallmark and invoice.
Is a gold sovereign VAT-free?
Zero-rating covers gold of 99% purity or higher. A 22K or 21K sovereign is below that, so expect 15%.
Sovereign or bar for saving?
A 24K bar is zero-rated at 99% purity or higher, while you should expect 15% on a sovereign. Price both for the same sum.