Riyadh – 15 Rabi' al-Awwal 1447 AH, corresponding to September 7, 2025.

The Museums Commission is preparing to launch the exhibition "Struck Narratives: Saudi Arabia's Legacy in Coins" at the Saudi National Museum in Riyadh's Al-Murabba district, running from September 17 to December 16, 2025. The exhibition takes visitors on a visual and chronological journey spanning more than 1,300 years, tracing the evolution of currency in the Arabian Peninsula and Saudi Arabia, from the pre-Islamic era to the modern Saudi riyal, as a witness to national identity and historical and economic transformations.

At a Glance

  • Rare artifacts and contemporary scenography: The exhibition features a distinguished collection of rare historical coins from the collection of Dr. Alan Baron, alongside pieces from the Ministry of Culture's collection, giving visitors an exceptional opportunity to discover the history of currency across the ages. The exhibition also presents contemporary artworks inspired by the symbolism of money within an innovative scenographic design that combines historical and architectural scenes, bringing the eras of currency to life in a contemporary artistic manner.
  • Seven exhibition sections: The exhibition is divided into seven main sections that tell the story of currency across history:
    1. Pre-Islamic coins and the symbols and meanings they carried.
    2. The origin of Islamic coinage and its evolution across the ages.
    3. Women in coinage, highlighting women's presence in monetary memory.
    4. Craft coinage: minting art and culture.
    5. The treasures and coins of Saudi Arabia, embodying the journey of unification and renaissance.
    6. Coins and contemporary art, where money becomes a creative source.
    7. The coin that was never minted, opening horizons for reflection on money as symbol and idea.
  • A parallel cultural program: The exhibition is accompanied by a diverse cultural program including scientific seminars, workshops, and interactive activities, in addition to events dedicated to people with disabilities, in partnership with the Disability Care Authority, enhancing the inclusivity of the experience.
  • Museums' role in Vision 2030: The exhibition is part of the Museums Commission's efforts to preserve national heritage and strengthen the Kingdom's cultural presence globally, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge society that is open and rooted in its culture and identity.