1/2 Riyal / 50 Halalah - Fayṣal FAO

Issued as part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization coin program, which ran through the 1970s and prompted dozens of countries to mint special circulation pieces promoting agricultural development and food security goals. Saudi Arabia's participation reflected the kingdom's concurrent push to develop domestic food production — an ambition that sat awkwardly against the reality that the 1970s oil boom was accelerating urbanization and pulling labor away from farming.

FAO issues were struck for circulation rather than as commemoratives, though collector demand has kept many examples in above-average condition.