Joel Anderson, Interesting World Coins
Click Here ON-LINE ORDER FORM
Click Here Site Map & Search Engine
Click Here Interesting Stuff Catalog
Click Here Interesting Stuff Index

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

MEDIEVAL ISLAMIC TERRA-COTTA TOKENS

Persian Gulf area terra-cotta tokens, 11th-12th century ADThese unusual terracotta tokens were produced in the Persian Gulf area around the 11th and 12th centuries A.D.  At the time copper coins were not in production.  The tokens were produced by merchants or money-changers to provide change for small purchases.  The tokens were rarely seen, until a recent hoard was discovered.  This hoard included a number of different types.  They all are small (about 10-14mm), with various Islamic inscriptions on them.  It is an unusual and rarely seen form of money.
Item C-TERRA   PERSIAN GULF TERRA-COTTA TOKEN, 11th-12th  VF-XF    $5.00
Item C-TERRAx10  10 MIXED OF THE ABOVE TERRA-COTTA TOKENS    $24.95


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 Holyland 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    $175.00
Item L-MAM-DIR  MAMLUK SILVER DIRHAM 1260-1421AD AG-G-crude   
sold out
Item L-MAM-FRA 
MAMLUK SILVER FRACTIONAL DIRHAM 1260-1421AD VG-crude    $3.50


SILVER COIN OF TAMERLANE

Tamerlane silver Akce Tamerlane was a ruthless conqueror who from 1370 to 1405 created the Timurid Empire that included much of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and surrounding regions. In his conquests he occupied Damascus, Moscow, Baghdad and Delhi.  After looting a city and massacring the population he would often move on, leaving behind towers built of skulls.  The name, Tamerlane, is derived from "lame Timur",  his lameness being caused by injuries received in battle. He died in 1405 while on his way to conquer China.  As might be expected from a barbarian, his coinage is quite crude.  These silver Akces were minted for Tamerlane at the Kastamonu mint in what is now Turkey in 1404 and 1405AD.. 
Item L-TIM-2388   TAMERLANE  SILVER AKCE, 1404-1405 VG-crude   sold out


LAST OF THE MONGOLS IN PERSIA

Muzaffarid 2 Dinars, Shah Mansur Shah Mansur was the last monarch of the Muzaffarid Dynasty, which was one of the last Mongol Dynasties in Iran.  He killed all his brothers to become the sole lord of the Muzaffarids in 1388. He then turned his attention to stopping Tamerlane, who had previously ravaged much of the Muzaffarid's lands.  In 1392, after doing battle with Tamerlane's forces, he was assassinated at a dinner that he had been invited to by Tamerlane.  Thus a dynasty that traced its roots to Ghenghiz Khan came to an end at the hands of another ruthless conqueror.  This silver 2 Dinar coin is quite crudely struck. Muzaffarid coins are difficult to locate, so most collectors are happy to obtain any coin from this scarce and short-lived dynasty.
Item L-MUZ-2289  MUZAFFARID SILVER 2 DINARS, SHAH MANSUR 1388-92  Good    $7.50


THE LAST GREAT TIMURID MONARCH

Timurid silver Tanka of Husayn, 1469-1506AD The Timurid dynasty ruled much of Central Asia from during the 14th and 15th century.  This silver Tanka was struck by Sultan Husayn Bayqara, the last great Timurid rular, at his mint in Astrabad (now in Iran).  Though the Timurid dynasty was founded by a barbarian, Husayn Bayqara was a great supporter of the arts and literature.  He ruled almost 40 years, from 1469 until 1506. Upon his death the dynasty quickly collapsed.
Item L-TIM-2432  TIMURID SILVER TANKA, HUSAYN 1469-1506AD, Fine-crude. (A2432.3) $9.50



NEW COINS 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.
Item L-IR-SET04  IRAN 4 COIN SET 50 - 500 RIALS (2004AD) UNC.   $9.75
Item L-IR-500R    IRAN BI-METALLIC 500 RIALS FROM THE ABOVE SET  $4.75



SILVER COINS OF SULEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT

Ottoman silver Akche of Suleyman the Magnificant Ottoman Silver Medino of Suleyman the Magnificant 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.  We are pleased to offer two silver coins of this important ruler.  The first is a small silver Akche.  The Akche was the most widely used coin of the Ottoman Empire at the time, though, because of its low value, bags of them were needed for any major transaction.  The other coin is a rare silver Medino (3 Akche) minted in Amid, now known as Diyarbakir in the center of the Kurdish area of Turkey.  It is dated AH926, which corresponds to 1520AD.
Item L-TR-SUL-AKCHE  OTTOMAN AKCHE OF SULEYMAN, 1520-1566 VG-crude  sold out
Item L-TR-SUL-MED  OTTOMAN SILVER MEDINO OF SULEYMAN 1520 VF-crude $5.00



ATTRACTIVE EGYPTIAN COINS FEATURES THE SPHINX

Egypt 3 coin Sphinx set: 1 - 10 Milliemes 1954-1955The Great Sphinx, located in Giza, is featured on these attractive aluminum-bronze (gold-colored) coins of Egypt.   The coins are dated with both AD and AH dates. Included is the 1 Millieme dated AD1954 - AH1374, 5 Milliemes dated AD1954 - AH1374, and the 10 Milliemes dated AD1955-AH1374. The three coins together catalog for $65.00 in Uncirculated condition, however we discovered that some coins are not quite Uncirculated, so we are offering the coins at a significant discount.
Item C-EG-SET3  EGYPT 1,5,10 MILLIEMES SPHINX 1954-55, AU-UNC.  $15.00

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 NEW EGYPTIAN COINS

Egypt 50 Piastres and 1 Pound 2005

Egypt recently released two stunning new 2005 dated coins for general circulation. The attractive coins feature two of the most famous Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.  The bi-metallic 1 Pound coin pictures King Tutankhamen. The 50 Piastres pictures the famed Queen Cleopatra VII.  The coins are 25mm in diameter. The attractive designs would make great coin jewelry or cut-out coins.
Item L-EG-SET2  EGYPT 1 POUND & 50 PIASTRES 2005, UNC.  $7.00
Item L-EG-SET2x10   10 SETS OF THE ABOVE 2 COINS, UNC.  $55.00


Also see:
Click HereA COIN OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST COIN COLLECTOR



SHORT LIVED UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC ISSUE FROM SYRIA

United Arab Republic - Syria 50 Piastres 1959 silver coinThe United Arab Republic was established in 1958 through a union of Egypt and Syria.  Its leaders hoped it would be the founding of a union that would eventually include most of the Arab nations.  Syria issued this silver 50 Piastre coin in 1959 to commemorate the first anniversary of the United Republic.  The coin features an eagle with a shield with 2 stars, representing the 2 member nations.  The United Arab Republic collapsed 2 years later when Syria withdrew, though Egypt continued to use the name for another 10 years.  We offer this historic coin at far less than its $12.00 catalog value.
Item L-SY-89  UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC - SYRIA 50 PIASTRE 1959, KM89 UNC    7.50
Item L-SY-89x5  5 of the above U.A.R.-SYRIA 50 PIASTRES 1959, UNC. $29.50



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-SET5  SYRIA  5 COIN SET 1 - 25 POUNDS 1996-2003, UNC. $8.75

ALSO SEE:
Click HerePRESIDENT ASSAD PUTS HIMSELF ON SYRIAN COIN

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 C-JO-SET4  JORDAN 4 COIN SET 2000-2004 UNC.   $6.00


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 L-IL-SET2  ISRAEL 1/2 & 1 Lirah 1970, Unc.     $2.00



NEW COINS FROM BAHRAIN

 
Bahrain coin set
Bahrain is a small nation on the Persian Gulf. In 2002 the Emir proclaimed himself K
ing.  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 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-SET5  BAHRAIN 5 COIN SET 5 - 100 FILS,   Uncirculated 1992-2005.    $7.50

Click HereBAHRAIN GRAND PRIX BI-METALLIC COMMEMORATIVE


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 C-SA-66   SAUDI ARABIA 100 HALALA REGULAR ISSUE, KM66  UNC.    $5.00
Item C-SA-67   SAUDI ARABIA 100 HALALA 100TH ANNIVERSARY, KM67 UNC.    $6.00



OMAN 1999 COIN SET

Oman 1994 4 coin set
This four coin set from the Sultanate of Oman includes the 5, 10, 25 and 50 Baisa dated 1999.  The coins feature the Oman arms, which feature crossed swords and a dagger on the obverse and the denomination on the obverse.  All four coins are Uncirculated.
Item S-OM-SET99  OMAN 1999 4 COIN SET 5 - 50 BAISA, UNC.    $4.75


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 L-UAE-SET3  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 3 COIN SET, BU    $5.00



THE STRANGE MEDIEVAL MONKEY DIRHAM OF YEMEN

Rasulid Monkey Dirham coin, 1397AD This unusual, crude silver Dirham was issued by the Rasulid King Isma'il. in 1397AD in what is now Yemen.  The coin was called a "Monkey Dirham" in contemporary sources because of the strange seated figure that appears on the coin.  Though the figure was supposed to be a seated man, many mistook it for a monkey due to the coins crude design and weak strike.  The coin was struck in al-Mahjam.  At the time it was a wealthy city and one of three capitals of the Rasulid Kingdom. Today it is a village of straw huts.
Item L-YE-1110.9  RASULID YEMEN 1 DIRHAM 1397AD (A1110.9) VG $29.50


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 C-YE-SET4  YEMEN 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 HereCRUSADER COINS WITH STAR OF DAVID
Click Here 1800 YEARS OF IRAQ COINS & CURRENCY
Click HereLAWRENCE OF ARABIA COINS FROM HEJAZ
Click HereSILVER COIN OF SALADIN
Click HereBEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL UMAYYAD SILVER DIRHAMS FROM IRAQ

NOTE:  All pictures are of a typical item taken from stock.  Because we have multiples of most items, the item you receive may not look exactly the same as the picture, however it will be as described.


<-- PREVIOUS PAGE      NEXT PAGE -->
Click Here RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS TO SEE MORE INTERESTING STUFF
Click Here SECURE ON-LINE CREDIT CARD ORDER PAGE Click Here ORDERING INFORMATION

scale with which to judge image sizes

  Please add postage.  California residents include 7.25% sales tax.  3-week return privileges.
Personal checks, Money Orders, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Paypal accepted.

Click Here CLICK HERE FOR OUR SECURE ON-LINE CREDIT CARD ORDER PAGE

Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
Grover Beach, CA 93483-0365 USA
phone/fax 1 805 489 8045
email: orders@joelscoins.com

CLICK ON THE PAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO TO VISIT:
Home Page
Secure 
On-Line
Ordering 
Ordering & Privacy
Interesting
Stuff
Catalog
World Coin Sets
Coin Books
& Supplies
About Us
Upcoming Coin Shows
Articles
about collecting
Search Engine & Site Map
Home Page |On Line Ordering | Ordering & Privacy Information Interesting Stuff | Coin Sets| Books & Supplies| About Us | Coin Shows | Articles| Site Map |