Saudi Arabia has approved the minting of 400 million halala coins after authorities launched a campaign forcing shopkeepers to give customers their change in coins rather than items such as chewing gum or tissues.
All of the coins will be worth 50 halalas (half a riyal, or 26 cents).
A shortage of coins in the kingdom has led Saudi businesses to often give customers menial items when their change is below one riyal. Some claim to donate the change to charities, while using the donations to boost public relations.
In August, authorities launched the campaign Claim Your Change to force shops to give customers the money they were owed.
About 100 shops have been fined for refusing to give change in coins, the Ministry of Commerce said.
The ministry said it also had received complaints from the public.
Banks also face fines if they do not provide sufficient change to stores.
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