This 1945-46 Saudi Arabia 4 Pound gold coin represents one of the most historically significant and scarce gold issues connected to the United States Mint. Part of the Peh Family Collection, this ARAMCO "Oil Payment" Gold Disk was struck at the Philadelphia Mint as a direct result of post-WWII oil diplomacy between the United States and Saudi Arabia. This larger 4 Pound denomination is considerably rarer than its 2 Pound counterpart, with only 1-2 examples typically appearing on the market annually, making it a truly exceptional find for collectors and investors alike.

Historical Background: This coin exists because oil royalties had to be paid in gold to the Saudi government. ARAMCO's concession arrangements were tied to gold sovereign-based payments, and by 1945 Saudi officials were pressing for payment in gold rather than paper currency following wartime disruptions. The solution was to have the Philadelphia Mint strike gold disks to the British sovereign standard-22k gold at .9167 fineness-functioning as trusted, ready-to-use settlement gold for oil transactions. These pieces represent a fascinating intersection of American minting expertise, Middle Eastern oil economics, and post-war international finance.

Design and Features: The obverse displays the bold U.S. Mint Philadelphia seal with eagle, surrounded by "U.S. MINT PHILADELPHIA – U.S.A." This creates a striking crossover piece-a "Saudi" gold issue with unmistakable U.S. Mint identity. The reverse is purely utilitarian, designed for practical use in gold settlements, clearly stating the specifications: GROSS WEIGHT – 493.1 GRAINS, NET WEIGHT – 452.008333 GR, and FINENESS – 916⅔. This reverse tells you exactly what it is-gold meant to be weighed and trusted in international commerce.

Rarity and Market Appeal: The 4 Pound denomination is significantly scarcer than the 2 Pound version, representing the least common size in this series. These pieces have serious crossover demand from multiple collecting categories: gold buyers seeking near-ounce content with historical significance, advanced world coin collectors, and history-driven investors interested in WWII-era economics. The rarity factor combined with substantial gold bullion appeal creates a unique investment opportunity that standard bullion cannot match.

Key Specifications: This piece contains .9167 fine gold (22K), approximately 0.942 troy ounces of actual gold weight (equivalent to 4 British Sovereigns at .2354 each), with a net gold weight of 452.008333 grains as stamped on the coin. The estimated mintage is approximately 91,000 pieces across both years, with the 4 Pound size representing a small fraction of total production.

Graded AU-58 by NGC, this coin exhibits strong detail with only minimal wear from brief circulation. The NGC certification provides crucial authentication and peace of mind, as these pieces are heavily counterfeited in the marketplace. This coin offers substantial gold content combined with exceptional historical significance tied to WWII-era oil economics, U.S.-Saudi diplomacy, and the practical needs of international gold settlement. You get near-1 ounce gold plus a story that standard bullion simply cannot match. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.