# Saudi Arabia

* The earliest meter stamp seen is dated 9 April 1972.
* Most stamps are inscribed “K.S.A” or variation with one type using SAUDI ARABIA and recent digital stamps using SAUDI POST.
* Most town marks are bi-lingual. Date figures are found in both Western (0123456789) and Eastern Arabic (٠١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩).
1. Pitney Bowes-GB “5000” series (MV).
    Horizontal frank with curved indentation at left fitting the town mark.
    “K.S.A” below Arabic inscription at top.
    Date figures raised in relation to value figures.
    M# with “P.B.” prefix.
                                                          A. Western date figures, 2-digit Western (Christian) year figure
                                                          B. Western date figures, but with 2- or 3-digit Muslim year
                                                          C. Date entirely in Eastern Arabic numbers
    TM: DC
    V/F: SR 0.00 (Saudi Riyals)
2. Pitney Bowes-GB “6300” series (MV).
    Similar to Type 1 but the date and value figures are on the same level.
    M# centered below value figures, with “P.B.” prefix.
    TM: DC (Eastern Arabic date figures)
    V/F: 0.00
3. Pitney Bowes-GB “A900” (MV).
    Very similar to Type 2 but “K.S.A” is centered below the value figures.
    The value figures are larger, and the meter number is below “POSTAGE”.
    M# with “PB” prefix.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00
4. Francotyp-Postalia “MS5” (MV).
    Frank nearly square with large simulated perforation border.
    “K.S.A.” thick. “SR” left of narrow value figures.
    M# with “F.H.” prefix centered at bottom below “POSTAGE”.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00
                                                          a. With "SR" and the Arabic text (riyal) right of the value figures missing
5. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).
    Frank wider than tall with small simulated perforation border.
    M# with “H” prefix in center of band at bottom with horizontal lines at the sides.
    “SR” at right of value figures.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00
6. Hasler “Mailmaster” (MV).
    Similar to Type 5 but without band at bottom.
    M# with “HP” prefix at lower left. The meter number (but not the prefix) can vary in size from quite small (as shown) to as much as two and a half times larger.
    TM: DC
    V/F: 00.00
7.1. Zebra "ZM400"/POSIFLEX" (digital), 2006.
    Post Office label with rounded corners and underprint showing the arms of the country above "Saudi Post" in Arabic and English.
    With simple barcode across the top and a different type of barcode below an stamp identification number across the bottom.
    At center left: mail class / destination / weight and value figures
                                                    At center right: origin post office / identification numbers / time and date.
                                                       A. The underprint is predominantly pale green with a bit of yellow in the circular coat of arms.
                                                       B. The underprint is green and yellow with "Saudi Post" all in yellow.
                                                    V/F: (0)0.00 SR
                                                       a. Barcode and identification number missing at bottom [R-RRRR]
7.2. Zebra, model unidentified (digital), 2014.
    As Type 7.1 but without bar code and line of numbers across the top.
    The text and numerals are in a larger font than with 7.1.
    The bar code at bottom is taller but not as wide as with 7.1, and the number appears below the bar code rather than above.
    V/F: SR0.00
                                                    a. Bar code only 2 mm high and with duplicated registration number [R-RRRR]
                                                    b. Bar code only 3 mm high and justified to right [R-RRR]
8. Hasler “F-88” (MV), ~1972. [$250]
    Upright frank with simulated perforation outer border and straight line inner border.
    "SAUDI ARABIA" is spelled out in full at top.
    The meter number with "H" prefix is below the frank. Meter H10 seen.
    Two SC town marks, one with Arabic numeral date and the other with Western numeral date.
    Bilingual V/F: 0.oo (Arabic above Western numerals)
NOTE: Despite being first reported in 2018 this stamp is one of the earliest known from Saudi Arabia. It was used on official government mail and may be an Official meter stamp.