Museum displays pre-Islamic currency

A museum here has 30,000 currencies dating back to the pre-Islamic era, including notes and coins in stone, silver and gold — the largest such collection in the country.
The Dyar Al-Ezz Museum in Al-Muzahmiyya, 40 km west of Riyadh, has been licensed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). It also has a large collection of other antiquities, including more than 60,000 stamps.
Saeed Al-Ghamdi, the owner of the museum, said he is expanding the building to double its current size. The museum welcomes students, charities and Qur’an memorization societies in the mornings. In the evenings, the doors are open to tourists and delegations.
He said the 460-square-meter museum has hosted delegations from several countries and participated in many events and festivals in cooperation with the Riyadh municipality.
Last month, more than 350,000 tourists visited. The museum is preparing to participate in the upcoming Saudi National Day celebrations.
The museum is divided into three halls. The first one, of 340 square meters, contains the currencies in stone, gold, silver and copper, some of which are rare and date back to the pre-Islamic era. It also contains Islamic currencies from the 14th century, in addition to many from the GCC states and elsewhere.
The second hall is named “The Good Old Simple Days," over an area of 70 square meters. It contains old cooking, eating and drinking vessels, pottery, pieces made from animal skin, arms and some ancient home devices and appliances.
The third hall, covering an area of 50 square meters, has stamps and old publications.
It contains a collection of more than 60,000 stamps, documents, magazines and rare photos.
The SCTA plans to develop the museum into one of Riyadh's most prominent tourist sites, in coordination with tour operators.
The SCTA has been developing several private museums in the country to preserve the Kingdom’s heritage. It recently organized the first-ever forum for private museum owners with the faculty of tourism and antiquities at King Saud University.
Riyadh region is rich in historic and heritage landmarks. Its museums were developed and equipped to contain items representing the ancient civilization of the Arabian Peninsula.