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THE MIDDLE EAST

Coins and notes from this region that is so frequently in the news.

For other coins of this region, also check out the following pages:
Click Here AFGHANISTAN COIN & CURRENCY PAGE
Click Here 1800 YEARS OF IRAQ COINS & CURRENCY

GOLD & SILVER OF THE SLAVE KINGS OF THE HOLY LAND

Mamluk gold Ashrafi of Qansuh II Mamluk silver Dirham Mamluk silver fractional dirham The Mamlukes ruled an area including Syria, much of the Holy land and Egypt from 1250 to 1517AD.  The Mamlukes were slaves purchased as boys, usually from Russia.  Eventually the slaves overthrew their masters, the Ayyubids, and established their own dynasty.  However they continued to import slaves, and usually choose their leaders from the ranks of the slaves, thus their ruler was also a slave!  Thus the Mamlukes are known as the "Slave-Kings". We offer three coins from these unusual monarchs.   The first is a gold Ashrafi of Qansuh II struck in Cairo, Egypt between 1501 and 1516AD.  Qansuh was defeated by Ottoman Sultan Selem I in 1516AD, leading to a complete collapse of the Mamluk Dynasty the following year.   We also offer a Mamluk silver 1 Dirham and silver fractional Dirham.  The Fractional Dirham was struck using  the dies for the larger 1 Dirham coin, even though the blank is less than half the size of the die!  The Fractional Dirham tend to be square or rectangular, however they come in a variety of shapes as the mint workers were paid on how many they produced, not on how the coins looked. 
Item L-MAM-ASH MAMLUK GOLD ASHRAFI, QANSUH II 1501-1516 F-crude out
Item L-MAM-DIR MAMLUK SILVER DIRHAM 1260-1421AD Good-crude  out
Item L-MAM-FRA MAMLUK SILVER FRACTIONAL DIRHAM 1260-1421AD VG-crude  $3.50

ISLAMIC IRAN COMMEMORATES ISLAM AND JERUSALEM

Iran 20 Rials 1979 KM1244Iran 1 Rial KM1245Shortly after coming into power in 1979, the revolutionary Islamic government of Iran issued two commemorative coins that caused a bit of a stir in some diplomatic circles.  The first is a copper-nickel 20 Rials dated both SH1358 and AH1400 (AD1979).  It pictures banners with Islamic inscriptions covering the earth.  The coin commemorates the 1400th anniversary (based on the Muslim lunar calendar) of the Prophet Mohammad’s flight from Mecca to Medina in 622AD.  The event, known as The Hijra, marks the start of the Muslim calendar.  Our price for this historic coin is less than half of its $15 catalog value.  The other coin is a 1 Rial coin picturing the Mosque of Omar - which is located in Jerusalem, Israel.  The Mosque, also known as the Dome of the Rock or Qubbet el-Sakhra is one of the holiest sites to Jews, Muslims and Christians.  It is the site of the original Jewish Temple, where Jesus preached.   The Foundation Stone or Rock at the center of the dome was where many Jews believe that Abraham offered to sacrifice his son Isaac. Muslims believe that it is the spot where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.  The aluminum-bronze clad steel coin 1 Rial is dated SH1359 (AD1980). 
Item IR-1244 IRAN 20 RIALS 1979  1400th ANNIVERSARY KM1244 UNC. $7.00
Item IR-1245 IRAN 1 RIAL 1980 MOSQUE OF OMAR KM1245 UNC. $4.00



2004 COIN SET FROM IRAN 

Iran coin set: 50, 100, 250 & 500 Rials, SH1383
The Islamic Republic of Iran recently released four new coins in October 2004.  The bi-metallic 500 Rials features a design based on medieval art showing a bird and flowers.  The designs of the 250, 100 and 50 Rials are similar to the previous coins of Iran, however the coins are smaller are made of different metals.  The copper-nickel 250 Rials features a Pomegranate blossom.   The aluminum-bronze 100 Rials shows the Shrine of Iman Reza.  The aluminum-bronze 50 Rials shows the Shrine of Hazrat Masumah.   All four coins are dated SH1383 (AD2004) and are Uncirculated.  Our price is less than half of their $16.50 catalog value.
Item IR-SET04 IRAN 4 COIN SET 50-500 RIALS 2004AD  KM1267-1269 UNC. $6.00



RECENT COINS OF IRAN

Iran 3 coin set SH1385 - SH1386 (AD2006-07)Iran SH1387 AD2009 Coin Set

We are pleased to offer two recent coin sets from the Islamic Republic of Iran.  The first is a three coin set consisting of the 100, 250 and bi-metallic 500 Rials dating 2006 or 2007.  The bi-metal 500 Rials pictures a mythical bird and a flower and is dated SH1385.  The 250 Rials features a stylized pomegranate blossom and is dated SH1386.  The 100 Rials shows the Imam Reza Shrine and is dated SH1385.  The obverse of each coin has the denomination, date and country name in Persian.  The three coin set catalogs $14, however our price is MUCH less. Due to continued inflation, the new set of smaller, higher value coins were introduced in 2009.  The 2009 set consists of the aluminum-bronze (brass) 250, 500 and 1000 Rials dating SH1387.   The coins depict various Islamic shrines. The obverse of each coin has the denomination, date and country name in Persian. All coins are Uncirculated.
Item IR-SET07 IRAN 3 COIN SET 100-500 RIALS 2006-07 (SH1385-86)  KM1267-1269 UNC. out
Item IR-SET09 IRAN 3 COIN SET 250-1000 RIALS 2009 (SH1387) UNC. $7.00

Also see:
Click HereREZA SHAH SILVER CROWN OF PERSIA


NEWSILVER COIN OF SULEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT

Ottoman Silver Maydin of Suleyman the Magnificant, 1520-1566AD Suleyman the Magnificent ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566. A powerful monarch, he expanded his empire and nearly conquered much of Europe.  Though Suleyman may have been magnificent, his coins tended to be small and crude.  This small silver Maydin of Suleyman is dated AH926 which corresponds to 1520AD .
Item TR-SUL OTTOMAN SILVER MAYDEN OF SULEYMAN (1520AD) VG-CRUDE $5.00


TURKEY REVALUES ITS CURRENCY

Turkey coin set, 1 Yeni Kurus - 1 Yeni Lira
In 2005 Turkey revalued its badly inflated Lira.  It took 1 Million of the old Lira to equal one Yeni (New) Lira.  New coins were introduced with the new denominations. This six coin set set includes two bimetallic coins, the 1 Yeni Lira and 50 Yeni Kurus.  Also included are the 1, 5, 10 and 25 Yeni Kurus, all in a mint sealed folder.  Each coin has a different portrait of the Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey.
Item TR-SET06 TURKEY 6 COIN SET 2006 1 YENI KURUS-1 YENI LIRA UNC. $9.00

Egyptian coin setEGYPTIAN COIN SET

Egypt has a very long history, extending back over 5000 years.  They also have issued a lot of coins due to an extensive series of circulating commemorative coins.  When you have over 5000 years of history, there is a lot to commemorate. Their coin designs reflect both their ancient and modern heritage.  A supplier in Egypt managed to assemble sets of 75  different Egyptian coins.  The set contains both circulated and Uncirculated coins, from the 1930’s to the present, including issues from the Kingdom of Egypt and United Arab Republic  The sets would make an excellent start of a collection.  It would probably take years of work to assemble so many different Egyptian coins if one did not live there. 
Item BK-EG-SET75 75 DIFFERENT EGYPTIAN COINS $69.75



ATTRACTIVE COINS FROM EGYPT

Egypt coin set
This set of five Egyptian coins features that nations rich cultural heritage.  The 1984 1 Piastre features the nations most famous landmark, the ancient Pyramids of Giza.  The 1992 5 Piastre shows an Islamic vase or hanging lamp.  The 1992 10 Piastres shows The Mohammad Ali (Alabaster) Mosque in Cairo.  The 1992 20 Piastres features the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo.  The 1993 25 Piastre features a center hole.   The five coins are Uncirculated.
Item S-EG-SET5 EGYPT 5 COIN SET 1-25 PIASTRES, UNC. $7.50


ANCIENT PHARAOHS ON MODERN EGYPTIAN COINS  Back in stock

Egypt 50 Piastres and 1 Pound 2005

These two stunning modern Egypian coins feature two of the most famous Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The bi-metallic 1 Pound coin pictures King Tutankhamen. The aluminum-bronze 50 Piastres pictures the famed Queen Cleopatra. The coins are 25mm in diameter and are dated 2005. The attractive designs make a wonderful addition to a collection, great cut-ouy coins or coin jewelry.
Item EG-SET2 EGYPT 1 POUND & 50 PIASTRES 2005, UNC. $7.00



SYRIAN COIN SET FEATURES ANCIENT HERITAGE AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY

Syria 5 coin set: 1 - 25 Pounds
This five coin set from Syria contains the copper-nickel 1996 1 Pound, the 1996 2 Pounds that features an ancient amphitheater, plus the 2003 5, 10 and bi-metallic 25 Pounds. These three 2003 dated coins incorporate the latest anti-counterfeiting technology and reflect Syria's ancient cultural heritage.  All three coins have a shifting latent image incorporated in the design.  Turn the coin one way and the initials of the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) appear, turn the coin at a different angle and the denomination appears.  The coins also have a lettered and reeded edge.  The 25 Pounds is a bi-metallic coin that pictures the Central Bank of Syria.  The 10 Pounds features the ancient ruins at Palmyra.  The 5 Pounds shows the medieval Citadel of Aleppo.  The reverse of all the coins features the Syrian Arms.  It is an interesting set of coins, both because of the design and technology involved.
Item C-SY-SET5SYRIA  5 COIN SET 1 - 25 POUNDS 1996-2003, UNC. $8.75

ALSO SEE:
Click HerePRESIDENT ASSAD PUTS HIMSELF ON SYRIAN COIN

COMPLETE 1955 LEBANON COIN SET

Lebanon 1955 five coin coin set
This attractive five coin set includes all five coins Lebanon issued in 1955.  They were the last coins issued by Lebanon until the 1960's.  The set includes 1955 aluminum-bronze 1, 2 1/2, 5 Piastres and both types of 10 Piastres in Brilliant Uncirculated condition. Both 10 Piastres feature the same basic design elements, an ancient ship on one side and a Lebanese Cedar on the other.  The first, and more artistic, type showed only part of the Cedar.  Apparently some objected to the design, as they felt it implied the country was not complete, so a second type was issued showing the entire tree was issued later in the year. The Cedars of Lebanon are mentioned numerous times in the Bible and it is the symbol of the nation today.  The 5 Piastres features a lion's head on one side and a Lebanese Cedar.  The 1 and 2 1/2 Piastres both feature center holes.  Together the five Brilliant Uncirculated old coins catalog for over $30, however our price is much less.
Item LB-SET55 LEBANON 1955 FIVE COIN SET: 1-10 PIASTRES, KM19-23 BU $15.00

JORDAN COIN SET

Jordan 4 coin set
This set of four Jordanian includes the 2000 1 Piastre and 5 Piastres, the 2004 10 Piastres and seven-sided 2004 1/4 Dinar. All four coins picture the young King Abdullah II of Jordan who assumed the throne in 1999. The reverse includes the date and denomination. The king, an avid Star Trek fan, was an extra in a Star Trek Voyager episode in 1995.
Item S-JO-SET4 JORDAN 4 COIN SET 2000-2004 UNC. $6.00

NEWISRAEL’S FIRST COMMEMORATIVE COINS

These seven coins are Israel’s seven first copper-nickel commemorative coins.  The series was issued only from 1958 to 1963. Their attractive, historic, designs and low mintages helped spark a boom in Israeli coins in the 1960’s. The coins are now available at a small fraction of what they sold for at the height of the Israeli coin boom back then.  The 1 Lira, sometimes called the 1 Pound, coins are 32mm in diameter, the 1/2 Lira (1/2 Pound or 1/2 Shekel)  is 30mm in diameter.  The coins were struck in both Uncirculated and Proof. Unlike many modern Proofs, the early Israeli Proof coins did not have a frosted or mirror finishes.  For most issues, about the only way to distinguish the between the Uncirculated and Proof versions, is that the Proof version has the Hebrew letter "mem" added to the design.Early Israel Proof coins were so designated by the Hebrew letter "mem" added to the coin. 
Image (click to enlarge) Description and price
Israel 1/2 Lire 1962 Festival of Purim

1/2 LIRE 1962 - FESTIVAL OF PURIM

The 1962 1/2 Shekel, or 1/2 Lire honors the Festival of Purim. The coin features a silver shekel from the revolt against Rome in 66AD.  Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people living in the ancient Persian Empire from a plot by to annihilate them.  It is recorded in the Book of Esther.  The coin is Proof and has a mintage of only 9894 pieces in Proof.
Item IL-PUR-PF ISRAEL 1/2 SHEKEL (LIRA) 1962 FEASTIVAL OF PURIM KM31 PROOF $7.00
Israel 1 Lira 1958 Law is Light

1 LIRA 1958 HANUKKAH - LAW IS LIGHT

The 1958 1 Lira was the one of the first commemorative coins issued by Israel.  It features a seven branched menorah to commemorate Hanukkah. The coin is titled “Law is Light”. Hanukkah, the "Festival of Lights”, celebrates the miracle of a how small vial of oil that burned for eight days for the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple following the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Syrians.  It has a mintage of 149,594 and is probably one of the most undervalued Israeli commemorative coins.
Item IL-LAW-U ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1958 LAW IS LIGHT KM22 UNC. $1.95
ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1960 DEGANYA

1 LIRA 1960 - DEGANYA KIBBUTZ

This attractive 1960 Lira commemorates and pictures the 50th anniversary of the Deganya (Degania) Kibbutz, the first Kibbutz in Israel. The coin features a view of the Kibbutz.  It is a mintage of 49,455 pieces in Uncirculated and only 4702 pieces in Proof.
Item IL-DEG-U ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1960 DEGANYA KM28 UNC. $4.00
Item IL-DEG-PF ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1960 DEGANYA KM28 PROOF $20.00
Israel 1 Lira 1961 Henrietta Szold

1 LIRA 1960 - HENRIETTA SZOLD

Henrietta Szold is honored on this 1960 1 Lira coin from Israel.  Szold, born in Baltimore, was the founder of the Hadassah Women's Organization, which started the first teaching hospital in Palestine.  She also operated a movement that rescued thousands of Jewish children from Nazi Europe.  The obverse pictures a woman holding a lamb.  The reverse features the Hadassah Medical Center.  The coin has a mintage of 16,781 in Uncirculated and only 3000 pieces in Proof, making it the key to the series.
Item IL-SZOLD-U ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1960 HENRIETTA SZOLD KM32 UNC. $10.00
Item IL-SZOLD-PF ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1960 HENRIETTA SZOLD KM32 PROOF $65.00
Israel 1 Lira 1961 Hasmonian Hero

1 LIRA 1961- DEATH OF A HASMONEAN HERO

The 1961 1 Pound coin from Israel pictures a man underneath an elephant stabbing the belly of the beast.  The coin, known as the “Death of a Hasmonean Hero” or the “Maccabean Hero” tells the story of Eleazer killing a war elephant as is written in 1 Macabees 6:42-47.  In 163BC Seleucid King Antiochus V sent an army to Judea put down the revolt lead by Judas Maccabeus who was seeking freedom for the Jewish state.  Included in the forces were 32 of the most terrifying weapons of the era - elephants.  Each elephant lead a force of a thousand men.  Eleazer, the younger brother of Judas Maccabeaus, spied the largest and most heavily armored of the elephants.  Assuming that it carried the king, he single handedly fought his way through the phalanx of soldiers surrounding the elephant, ran under the beast and stabbed it in the belly.  The dying elephant fell on top of Eleazer, killing him.  Alas, the elephant did not carry the king, and the Jewish forces soon retreated in the face of strength of the Seleucid army.  The obverse of the coin features a torch and the legend in Hebrew “And he gave up his soul in battle”.   The coin has a mintage of  18,801 in Uncirculated.
Item IL-HERO-U ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1961 HERO - ELEPHANT KM34 UNC. $7.00
Israel 1 Lira 1962 Italian Hanukkah Lamp

1 LIRA 1962 - ITALIAN HANUKKAH LAMP

The 1962 Lira features a 17th century Hanukkah lamp from Italy.  Its mintage is only 9560 in Uncirculated and 5941 in Proof.
Item IL-ITALY-U ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1962 ITALIAN HANUKKAH LAMP KM38 UNC. $11.00
Item IL-ITALY-PF ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1962 ITALIAN HANUKKAH LAMP KM38 PROOF $19.50
Israel 1 Lira 1963 North African Hanukkah Lamp

1 LIRA 1963 - NORTH AFRICAN HANUKKAH LAMP

The 1963 Lira displays an 18th century North African Hanukkah lamp.  It has a mintage of 9928 Uncirculated pieces and 5412 pieces in Proof.
Item IL-AFRICA-U ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1962 NORTH AFRICAN HANUKKAH LAMP KM42 UNC. $10.00
Item IL-AFRICA-PF ISRAEL 1 LIRA 1962 NORTH AFRICAN HANUKKAH LAMP KM42 PROOF $19.50
Deal!

SET OF ALL 7 OF THE ISRAELI COPPER-NICKEL COMMEMORATIVE COINS

Set includes 1 Lira 1958 Law is Light, 1960 Deganya, 1960 Henrietta Szold, 1961 Hero, 1962 Italian Lamp, and 1963 North African Lamp, all in Uncirculated condition and the 1/2 Lira 1962 Purim in Proof .  Buy the set and save!
Item IL-SETCOM SET OF ALL 7 OF THE ABOVE ISRAEL COMMEMORATIVE COINS, 1958-1963  $45.00




ATTRACTIVE COINS FROM ISRAEL

Israel 1/2 and 1 Lirah coins This two coin set includes a 1/2 Lirah featuring a Menorah and a 1 Lirah showing three pomegranates, a design based on the ancient coins of Israel.  Both of the copper-nickel coins are dated 1970 in the Hebrew calendar   In 1980 the coins were withdrawn from circulation when a new, revalued currency was introduced. 
Item IL-SET2ISRAEL 1/2 & 1 Lirah 1970, Unc. $2.00


Also see:
Click HereOFFICIAL ISRAEL MINT SETS BELOW ISSUE PRICE
Click HereCOINS OF PONTIUS PILATE
Click HereWIDOW'S MITE FROM THE TIME OF CHRIST


BAHRAIN COIN SET INCLUDES TWO BI-METALLICS

 
Bahrain coin set
Bahrain is a small nation on the Persian Gulf. In 2002 the Emir proclaimed himself King.  The legend of on the coins changed from "State of Bahrain" to "Kingdom of Bahrain", though the designs remained the same.  This five coin set includes the bi-metallic 2001 500 Fils showing a monument, the 2005 100 Fils showing the Bahrain crest, the 2002 50 Fils that pictures a Bahrain Dhow, the 1992 25 Fils that portrays an ancient seal, and the 2005 10 and 5 Fils that show a palm tree.  All five coins are Uncirculated.  It is an attractive coin set that is rarely offered for sale.
Item S-BH-SET6BAHRAIN 6 COIN SET 5 - 500 FILS, Uncirculated 1992-2007 out

ALSO SEE:
Click HereTHE (ALMOST) PERFECT CRIME


SAUDI ARABIAN BI-METALLIC COINS

Saudi Arabia 100 Halala 1999: 100th Anniversary and regular issueSaudi Arabia issued two bi-metallic 100 Halala coins in 1999 (AH1419).  The regular issue features a palm tree and a pair of crossed swords.  The commemorative issue honors the 100th anniversary of the Saudi Kingdom.  Saudi Arabia dates it's founding to a night in 1902 when Abdul Aziz ibn Saud and 40 of his followers did a daring midnight raid, capturing the Ottoman fort at Riyadh.  With the support of the conservative Islamic Wahhabi clergy,  Abdul Aziz declared a Jihad, or holy war against the Ottomans and other rulers who controlled the Arabian Peninsula.   After the defeat of the Ottoman's in World War I by Allied forces, Abdul Aziz conquered neighboring Hejaz, and consolidated his kingdom into what is today Saudi Arabia. The design of the coin features extensive calligraphy as well as a stylized representation of a palm tree, and the fort.    The 100 years from1902 to 1999 is based on the lunar Hegira calendar, which has slightly shorter years than a solar calendar.
Item SA-66SAUDI ARABIA 100 HALALA REGULAR ISSUE, KM66 UNC. $5.00
Item SA-67SAUDI ARABIA 100 HALALA 100TH ANNIVERSARY, KM67 UNC. $6.00




UNITED ARAB EMIRATES COIN SET

United Arab Emirates coin setIn 1971, after Great Britain terminated its promise to protect them from external aggression, seven sheikdoms on the Arabian Peninsula joined together to form the United Arab Emirates.  This three-coin set of the current coins of the United Arab Emirates includes the 1998 25 Fils showing a Gazelle, the 2005 seven-sided 50 Fils showing oil derricks (oil being the source of much of their wealth) and the 1998 1 Dirham showing a coffee pot.  All three coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.
Item S-UAE-SET3UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 3 COIN SET, BU $5.00


YEMEN REPUBLIC SET INCLUDES BI-METALLIC COIN

Yemen 4 coin set: 1 - 20 RialsThis four coin set features the current coins of the Yemen Republic.  The set includes the 2004 bi-metallic 20 Rials that features the  rare and endangered Dragon's Blood Tree. The tree that is found on the island of Sokotra (Sucotra, Sogotra), located approximately 200 miles (340km) off the coast of Yemen in the Indian Ocean.  The sap of the tree has been harvested for medicine since ancient times.   The 10 Rials features the famous 17th century Shaharah stone bridge.  The 32 meter limestone bridge links two mountaintop villages seperated by a gorge.  A government building is on the 5 Rials and a stylized eagle is on the 1 Riyal. All four coins are Uncirculated.
Item S-YE-SET4YEMEN 1, 5, 10 & 20 RIALS SET KM 25-29 1993-2004 UNC. $9.50


FOR OTHER  COINS OF THIS REGION, PLEASE CHECK OUT:

Click Here AFGHANISTAN COIN & CURRENCY PAGE
Click Here 1800 YEARS OF IRAQ COINS & CURRENCY
Click HereSILVER COIN CELEBRATES KUWAITS 15th ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE
Click HereMEDIEVAL ISLAMIC TERRA-COTTA TOKENS

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Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
Grover Beach, CA 93483-0365 USA
Phone 1 805 489 8045  Fax 1 805 299 1818
email: orders@joelscoins.com

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