THE MIDDLE EAST

Coins and currency from this region that is so frequently in the news.
For other coins of this region, also check out the following pages:
AFGHANISTAN COIN & CURRENCY PAGE
 IRAQ COINS & CURRENCY

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BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT SILVER COIN OF THE HIMYARITE KINGS OF ARABIA

The Himyarite Kingdoms was centered in what is now Yemen.  It grew wealthy exporting frankincense and myrrh and trading ivory, which they exported from Africa and sold to the Roman Empire.  About 380AD the kingdom converted from polytheism to Judaism.  These 15mm convex silver half denarius depict a male's head facing right, with a monogram and a trident behind.  The reverse features a smaller head, an ornamented scepter and inscriptions.  The coins minted from about 100 to 200AD.  Though struck in high relief, the coins show only minimal wear.  It is a scarce and attractive coin from a little-known ancient kingdom.

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GREAT SPHINX ON 1954 EGYPTIAN 1 MILLIEME

The Great Sphinx at Giza is featured on the front of this Egyptian 1 Millieme. The back includes the denomination and date in Arabic.  The coin is double dated with both the AH date of 1354 and the AD date of 1954.   It was one of the first coins struck by the Republic of Egypt after the overthrow of King Farouk in 1952.  The aluminum-bronze coin is 16mm.

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2021 EGYPTIAN CIRCULATING COMMEMORATIVE COINS

Egypt recently released a number of circulating commemorative coins in an effort to bolster support of the government.  The coins have a common obverse which includes the name of the country in Arabic, the denomination in Arabic and English and both the AD and AH dates.  The 1 Pound coins are 25mm bi-metallic with a brass-plated steel center in a nickel-plated steel ring.  The 50 Piastres are 23mm brass-plated steel coins.  


The 69th anniversary of National Police Day is commemorated on a 2021 1 Pound coin.  Police Day is in remembrance of the 50 police officers of the Ismaila Police Station that were killed or wounded when the British attacked the police station with tanks on January 25, 1952 after the police refused abandon the station and hand over their weapons.  January 25 was declared a national holiday in 2009 by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to recognize the efforts of Egyptian police to maintain security and stability. On Police Day in 2011 widespread protests against police brutality and corruption led to a revolution which overthrew President Mubarak. The bi-metallic coin features a winged eagle emblem and the Arabic numbers 69. 


Egyptian Medical Teams are honored on 50 Piastre and 1 Pound coins.  The coins feature four doctors.  In order to avoid offending conservative Muslims, the doctors have no facial features.  The coin is triple dated, bearing the date 2020 beneath the doctors, and AD 2021 and AH 1442 on the obverse.


"Decent Life" is an initiative of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's improve rural areas of Egypt.  The multi-year project, started in 2019, aims to improve sewer, water, electricity, natural gas and internet access in villages, improve housing, as well as health and education projects.  The Decent Life 50 Piastre and 1 Pound coins both feature a female farmer, wheat ears, and the Decent Life emblem, which looks like a smile in a box. The coins are dated 2021. 

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RECENT EGYPTIAN BI-METALLIC 1 POUND COINS

Egypt regularly issued circulating 25mm bi-metallic commemorative 1 Pound coins. The coins usually carry a common obverse that includes the name of the country, denomination and year of issue with both the AD and AH date, all in Arabic.  Unusually, some coins include a date of an event that is different year of issue.  Even more unusual is that some issues include a specific date in the design.   In 2021 Egypt commemorated the 75th Anniversary of their Conseil D'Etat (Counsel of State), which are that nation's administrative courts.  In 2022 Egypt marked the 150th anniversary of their National Library and Archives, an event that actually took place in 2020!  The coin depicts a stylized book and the dates 1870 2020.  Egypt marked the opening of The Sphinx Avenue in Luxor on another 2022 commemorative.  The coin features the date 25-NOV-2022 when The Sphinx Avenue was officially opened to the public with great pomp and ceremony after over 70 years of excavation and restoration.  The Sphinx Avenue includes 1057 ancient sphinx and ram-head statues that had been buried under the sands for centuries.   Another 2022 coin marked International People with Disabilities Day which took place on December 3, 2022.  The coin incorporates that date into the design along with symbols for five types of disabilities and a handshake in the center.  The design was a runner-up for Best Circulating Coin of the Year.  Egypt also issued their regular 1 Pound coin in 2022 which features the famous gold funerary mask of Pharoah Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut.

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GAZA COIN FEATURES PALESTINIAN WITH ASSAULT WEAPON

A Palestinian with a high-powered assault weapon is featured on this unofficial 2019 rectangular 5 Pound coin issued for the Gaza Strip. The emblem of Palestine is on the obverse.  The Gaza Strip is about a territory about 25 miles (41km) long and 4 to 8 miles (6 to 12 km.) wide that borders Israel and Egypt and is the home of some 1.9 million Palestinians.  Since 2007 Gaza has been a de-facto self-governing entity ruled by Hamas, a fundamentalist Islamic organization.  It recently attacked Israel, and Israel retaliated bringing destruction to much of this small territory. The 40mm x 25mm rectangular silver plated Proof coin has a mintage of only 200 pieces.

Also see:

MODERN PALESTINE BI-METALLIC PATTERN COIN: 1 Dinar 2010 Br.X10

BRITISH PALESTINE 1 MIL COINS

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SCARCE FANTASY COIN OF HEJAZ 

This scarce fantasy silver Hejaz 10 Piastres or  1/2 Riyal was made to appear to be an early coin of Hejaz.  It is dated AH1334, Year 8 (1923) and bears the legends that was struck in Mecca (“Makka al-Mukarrama”).  In reality it was struck some years ago in the United States.  The coins is technically Uncirculated, however was given an “antiqued” finish.  The 27.8mm coin has a reeded edge.  It is a scarce coin and given the popularity of Saudi Arabian related coins, is sure to be in demand.

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ANCIENT PERSIAN SILVER SIGLOS

The ancient Persian Empire stretched through the Fertile Crescent, covering much of modern-day Iran, Iraq and Turkey.  The Persian silver Siglos was first introduced about 546BC, during the reign of Cyrus the Great.  The silver Siglos continued to be issued during the reigns of Darius and Xerxes.  It was practically the only coin of issued by the Persian Empire until the it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330BC. The coins show the king kneeling holding a bow and carrying a spear or a dagger.   The reverse side has a crude incuse punch mark that was formed when the coin was struck.  It is an important historic coin that was used in much of the ancient world. 

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CONTROVERSIAL FIRST COIN OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN  

Shortly after coming into power in 1979, the revolutionary Islamic government of Iran issued circulating commemorative coins which caused a bit of a stir in some diplomatic circles.   The 20mm aluminum-bronze clad steel 1 Rial coin commemorates World Jerusalem Day (Quds Day).  The day was initiated in 1979 by the Islamic Republic 1979 to express solidarity with Palestine and oppose Zionism and Israel’s control of Jerusalem.  The coin pictures the Dome of the Rock - which is located in Jerusalem, Israel.  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 coin is dated SH1359 (AD1980).   The reverse the coin has the denomination within a wreath.

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ATTRACTIVE BI-METALLIC COIN OF ISLAMIC IRAN

One side of the bi-metallic 500 Rials of the Islamic Republic of Iran shows a traditional Persian design featuring a stylized bird and flower.  The other side has the denomination and date in Persian within a traditional floral pattern.   The coin is dated SH1383 which corresponds to 2004AD.  When it was minted it was the highest denomination in circulation, but because of inflation the coin soon became virtually valueless and disappeared from circulation.

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SMILING SADDAM & MEDIEVAL HORSEMEN ON IRAQ 25 DINAR NOTE

This multi-colored 1986 25 Dinar note of Iraq features the portrait of Saddam Hussein and a picture of medieval horsemen charging on the front. It was an attempt to link Saddam with great military victories in past centuries.  The note was the first to bear the Saddam's portrait.  The back shows the ancient gate of Babylon at the left, below it is a lion frieze.  In the center is the Martyr’s Monument (al-Shaheed) in Baghdad which was dedicated in 1983.   When the note was issued it had an exchange rate of approximately $80 and was the largest denomination in circulation.  It was in use at the time of the invasion of Iraq in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.  In 1993 the note was suddenly withdrawn and declared worthless.

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SADDAM GULF WAR NOTE

This 1992 5 Dinars note of Iraq was issued after Iraq's defeat in the First Gulf War.  The country was under a United Nations embargo so was unable to utilize its regular bank note printers.  Instead it utilized a Chinese printer that was willing to break the embargo.  The quality of the notes left much to be desired, however they filled the need and were pressed into service.  The red note features a portrait of Saddam Hussein with an underprint of an ancient temple.  The back features Iraq's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a small vignette of an ancient carving of Hammurabi in conversation with the sun god Shamash. As an anti-conterfeiting measure, the note contains threads that fluoresce blue and orange under Ultra-Violet light. The note is Uncirculated.

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IRAQ 1995 250 DINAR NOTE PICTURES SADDAM

This 1995 Iraqi 250 Dinar note picturing Saddam Hussein was issued after Saddam's defeat in the First Gulf War.  Inflation was taking a serious toll on Iraq, so this new, higher denomination was needed.  At the time it was issued, it was the highest denomination note in circulation. It had an official exchange rate of over $750, however on the street it would buy only a few dollars worth of goods. The reverse of the note shows the frieze from the Liberty Monument in Baghdad.  Because of the United Nations embargo, the notes were printed locally on an offset press and lacked the anti-counterfeiting devices found on most banknotes today.

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OPERATION DESERT STORM PROPAGANDA LEAFLETS

These propaganda leaflets were prepared by the US Armed Forces and air-dropped on Iraqi soldiers during the First Gulf War in 1991.  They were part of a PSYOP psychological warfare program to encourage the Iraqis not to fight.  They must have been effective, as almost half of the Iraqi soldiers defected, deserted or surrendered.  This set includes 7 different genuine propaganda leaflets, including both color and black and white issues.  Included in the set is a popular leaflet printed to look like an Iraq 25 Dinar note picturing Saddam. What better way to have a piece of propaganda picked up than to make it look like real money! 
Click here for a list of the leaflets provided and their translations.

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  IRAQ POST INVASION COIN SET  

Iraq released three 2004 dated coins: a 25, 50 and 100 Dinar.  They are the first coins issued since for circulation since the First Gulf War in 1990 and were issued as part of America’s plan to bring stability to the country.  Since then no additional coins have been issued for circulation. The coins have a very simple design.  One side shows a map of Iraq, showing the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the date in both the AH and AD Calendar.  The other side shows the denomination and inscriptions in Arabic.  The 25 Dinars is copper plated-steel, the 50 Dinars is brass plated steel and the 100 Dinar is nickel-plated steel.

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NORTH AFRICAN HANUKKAH LAMP ON ISRAELI COIN

The Israel 1963 Hanukkah 1 Lira displays an 18th century North African Hanukkah lamp. It has a mintage of 9928 pieces in Unc. and just 5412 in Proof.  The Proof issues have the tiny Hebrew character "mem" below the date.  The coins are all 32mm copper-nickel.  They are attractive and historic coins at a very reasonable price considering their limited mintage.

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JERUSALEM HANUKKA LAMP ON  ISRAELI COINS

For many years Israel’s annual Hanukka coins were popular gift items and popular with collectors. The 1977 Hanukka coin was the last commemorative 10 Lirot coin issued by Israel.  The 34mm copper-nickel coin features the Jerusalem Hanukka Lamp.  The lamp dates from the early 20th century and is now in the Ethnographic and Folklore Museum in Ramat Aviv.  The coin has a mintage of 46,106 in Brilliant Uncirculated and 29,516 Proof. Two versions of the Proof coin were issued, one with an "open" Mem, the other with a "closed" Mem.  The Proof versions have the Hebrew character "mem" in place of the mintmark and have a reeded edged.

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ISRAEL TELEPHONE TOKEN 

For many years, Israel required tokens to operate their public telephones.  The tokens made it easy to raise prices and helped cut down on slugs beings.  This Israeli telephone token, called an Asimon, was issued by the Israel Post.  One side is dated 1966 in Hebrew and has the world “telephone” in Hebrew and Arabic.  A deep slot and a center hole is incorporated into the token to prevent regular coins or slugs from being used in the telephone.  The other side features a telephone dial.

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ANCIENT JUDEAN WIDOW'S MITE FROM THE TIME OF CHRIST 

The story of the Widow's Mite can be found in the Bible in Mark 12:41-44.  For Jesus, the widow's small offering of her only two small coins was worth far more than the large contributions of the rich who gave only a small portion of what they had.  The mite, also known as the lepton, was the smallest denomination struck in ancient Judea.  The coin was first struck during the reign of Alexander Janeaus, and continued to be used during the time of Christ.  Most display an ancient anchor on one side and a wheel on the other, though other designs were used as well. Minters were paid by how many pieces they produced, not how well they produced them.  As a result the coins tend to be crude and off center.  Every coin is different.   This historic coin of the Bible is over 2000 years old and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

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MODERN COINS OF KURDISTAN 

The Kurds are an ethnic group divided between Iraq, Turkey and Syria. Their attempts to establish a Kurdish nation have been repeatedly thwarted by outside powers. In 2003, after the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, overseas Kurdish groups authorized the issuance of coins for what they expected would be their new independent nation.  Because of objections from neighboring Turkey, the United States did not allow the establishment of Kurdistan. Though the Kurds greatly assisted the United States by providing ground forces to fight ISIS in Syria and Iraq, in 2019 the United States again betrayed by withdrawing United States troops and abandoning them to Turkish and Russian forces. 

The 2003 1 Dinar depicts the most famous Kurd of all time: Saladin.  He is depicted on horseback carrying a modern Kurdish flag. Saladin founded the powerful Ayyubid Dynasty in 1169.  His diplomatic skills, backed by well-disciplined army enabled him to gain control of Egypt, Palestine and Syria from Islamic as well as Christian opponents.  Even his opponents admired him for his chivalry, justice and piety. The 27.4mm coin is struck in bronze-plated zinc.

The 2003 10 Dinar depicts a fallow deer.  The 39mm coin is struck in copper-nickel.

The reverses of all the coins depicts the Kurdish emblem featuring the sun rising over three mountains. 

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THE GREATEST BANK HEIST OF ALL TIME!

Iraq borrowed over $14 billion from Kuwait in order to finance the Iran-Iraq war.  Rather than pay it back, Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990.  They quickly hauled off everything of value, including some $1 billion in currency and gold from the Central Bank of Kuwait.  On July 17, 1991 the United States and coalition forces attacked Iraq and liberated Kuwait.  This Kuwait 1 Dinar is one series of notes (prefix 47-53) that had been plundered by Iraq. Kuwait declared it contraband and invalid. The front depicts the Kuwait City Tele-communications Center and the arms of Kuwait.  The back depicts Kuwait's historic Red Fort. The note has a watermark of a dhow.  It comes in a descriptive folder.

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LEBANON BANKNOTE & COIN SETS

Lebanon was once one of the most prosperous nations in the Middle East.  In recent years entrenched politicians, caring more for their political party than their nation, drove the country to ruin.  In 2020 a massive ex-plosion caused by improperly stored am-monium nitrate killed over 200, left over 300,000 homeless and destroyed major portions of Beirut. 
 Due to inflation Lebanon introduced new notes in 2014. The 3 note set includes the 1000, 5000 and 10,000 Livres dating from 2014 to 2016.   The 3-coin set from Lebanon includes the 2002 25 Livres, the eight-sided 1996 50 Livres and the 2009 100 Livres.  The 25 and 50 Livres were struck only a single year. The coins all feature a Lebanese Cedar.  Lebanon was under French control from the end of World War I until after World War II so the notes and coins have legends in Arabic on the front and in French on the back.  Also available is the full set of all six notes currently in circulation: 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 Livres dated from 2016 to 2022 in Uncirculated condition.  At the official exchange rates the notes are worth well over $100.  We obtained these at black market rates so can offer them for far less than their official face value.

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LEBANESE LOLLAR SATIRE NOTES

In May 2022 a Lebanese group called “The Lebanese Transparency Association – No Corruption” released a series of six satire notes protesting the corruption and incompetence of the Lebanese government. The notes are all labeled “The Currency of Corruption” in English and Arabic.   Lebanon used to be called the “Switzerland of the Middle East”.  It was the place to do business in the Middle East and had a lively culture and night life.  Elected officials, more interested in their political party than their country have destroyed the country, which is now near collapse.
Lollar is a term used to described U.S. dollars that were deposited in Lebanese banks but now can only be withdrawn in Lebanese Livres at highly unfavorable rates.  Advertising agency Leo Burnett partnered with acclaimed British artist Tom Young to create the notes. The notes were available at special ATMs in various locations in Beirut.  
The notes are approximately the size of United States currency.  The backs of all the notes depict a modified rendering of the Central Bank building, showing it in ruins and labeled “The Lollar Bank”. 
The 1 Lollar note depicts a rusted train at the Tripoli Mina station.  The once prosperous rail system that linked Lebanon to Europe has been inoperable since 1989 and left to rot, but the government still spends millions to pay the wages of 300 employees of the railway administration department.  The 5 Lollar note protests the fuel cartels.  It depicts the endless queues at gas stations that have blocked streets nationwide since 2021.   The 10 Lollar notes depicts the garbage crisis.   Garbage has been piling up in the streets in Beirut and elsewhere creating an environmental disaster.  The government signed sweetheart contracts with politically connected companies to collect garbage.  Some companies just dumped the garbage into the ocean, others disappeared, those that remained reduced or stopped collection when the government could no longer afford to pay them.  The 20 Lollar depicts a burning cedar forest.  The country spent millions of firefighting equipment, but did not maintain it, so fires rage out of control.  Neighboring countries have stepped in to help the Lebanese army put out fires.  The 50 Lollar note protests power shortages. Despite large government expenditures electricity is only available a few hours a day if at all from the power grid.  Local cartels which obtain fuel under questionable circumstances operate generators selling electricity at exorbitant rates.  The 100 Lollar note depicts the 2020 Beirut port explosion which killed over 200, left over 300,000 homeless and exposed the corruption and incompetence of port officials.   The set of six satire notes are not real money, but are a real protest against of corruption of the Lebanese government. 

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SILVER COINS OF THE SLAVE KINGS OF THE HOLY LAND

The Bahri Mamluks ruled Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land from 1250 to 1382.  The Mamluks were slaves purchased as boys from Russia, converted to Islam and trained to be warriors.  In 1250 Mamluk slaves overthrew their masters, the Ayyubids, and established the Bahri Mamluk dynasty with its capital in Cairo.  They continued to import Mamluk slaves to serve in their military.  The Sultan was supposed to be selected from the ranks of the Mamluk slaves, so the Sultan would also have been slave!  Thus, the Mamluks are known as the "Slave-Kings".  Mamluks were not supposed to be able to inherit wealth or power, but many attempted to do so, resulting in brutal and bloody quests for power among various factions competing for supremacy.  Mamluk Sultans rarely died a natural death. 
Baybars was a brilliant military leader.  He helped defeat the Seventh Crusade under Louis IX of France in 1250, then in 1260 he gave the Mongol armies their first substantial defeat and turned back the Mongol conquests of the Middle East.  Shortly after that the Mamluk Sultan was assassinated and Baybars proclaimed himself Sultan. As sultan, he engaged in a combination of military action and diplomacy, greatly expand the Mamluk empire.  He died in 1277, possibly from accidentally drinking a poisoned alcoholic beverage he intended for a rival.  These silver Dirhams of Baybars, like most Mamluk coins, is crude, often with large weakly struck areas. In addition to inscriptions, most have a crude depiction of a lion at the bottom of the obverse.
Mamluk power and culture reached its zenith under Al-Nasir Muhammad I. He served three reigns as Sultan.  He was the son of a Mamluk Sultan, rather than a Mamluk slave.  He was first made Sultan in 1293. He was only 8 years old, so was controlled by others.  He was deposed the following year in a palace revolt.  In 1299 the reigning sultan was murdered and Muhammad was again placed on the throne, again under the control of others.  He fled the palace in 1309 rather than continue to submit to authority of others.  After the population of Cairo forced his unpopular successor to flee, he reclaimed his throne.  He ruthlessly cracked down on corruption and those he infringed on his power.  He also engaged in major public works projects including rebuilding an ancient canal connecting Alexandria with the Nile and building or rebuilding many mosques, schools and public baths.  We have factional silver Dirhams struck during Muhammad's third reign from 1310 to 1341. The small, irregularly shaped coins were struck using dies for the much larger 1 Dirham coin, so most of the design is off the flan.
In the year following the death of Muhammed in June 1341 there were three Mamuk sultans, two of which were murdered and the third deposed as various factions vied for control. In June 1342 As-Salih Isma'il, a son of Muhammad and one of his concubines became Sultan.  He was a pious ruler that brought some political stability to the Mamluk empire before he died of an illness in 1345. The Silver Dirhams of Isma'il, like other Mamluk Dirhams, have Arabic inscriptions on both sides and are weakly struck.

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TRI-LINGUAL COIN OF BRITISH PALESTINE

Great Britain gained control of Palestine from the Ottoman Empire after World War I.  It did not issue its first coins for Palestine until 1927.   In order to satisfy the Jews and Arabs in the territory, as well as their British rulers, the bronze 1 Mil coins have their legends in three different languages, Arabic, English and Hebrew and the date in both the AD and AH calendar.  An olive branch, representing peace, is on the reverse.  In 1948 the British Mandate of Palestine was dissolved and most of the territory became the newly declared State of Israel.  Britain only sporadically minted the 1 Mil coin for Palestine: 1927, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940 (rare), 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946 and 1947 (very rare - all but 5 melted).   

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FIRST COINS OF PALESTINE

This set includes the first coins issued by the British Mandate of Palestine in Uncirculated condition.  Great Britain gained control of Palestine from the Ottoman Empire after World War I.  It issued its first coins for Palestine in 1927, including these 1 and 2 Mils coins. Both coins are bronze and have similar designs.  In order to satisfy the Jews and Arabs in the territory, as well as their British rulers, the coins have their legends in three different languages, Arabic, English and Hebrew and the date in both the AD and AH calendar.  An olive branch, representing peace, is on the reverses of both coins.  In 1948 the Mandate was dissolved with most of the territory going to the newly declared State of Israel.  The 1 Mil is 21mm and the 2 Mils is 28mm.  Both coins still retain most of their original bright mint luster.

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MODERN PALESTINE BI-METALLIC PATTERN COIN

This 2010 bi-metallic Palestine 1 Dinar coin is an unofficial pattern coin.  Palestine did not gain independence, and the coin never circulated.  One side of the 25mm coin features an Argali, which is a type of mountain sheep.  The Palestinian national emblem, which features the Eagle of Saladin in on the obverse.  The legends on the coin are in both Arabic and English.

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SCARCE SAUDI HALALA 

In 1963 Saudi Arabia introduced a new denomination; the 1 Halala, as part of a monetary reform.  Because the new coin had no direct equivalent in the previous monetary system and had minimal value, it was poorly accepted.  The obverse of the 19mm bronze coin features a palm tree and crossed swords.  The reverse has the denomination and date in Arabic. 

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SCARCE SAUDI ARABIAN COIN   

The British Royal Mint struck a small quantity of copper-nickel 100 Halala coins for Saudi Arabia dated AD1977 and AH 1397 as samples. Actual production of the coins commenced the following year, with the coins dated AD 1978 and AH1398.  A few of the sample coins somehow escaped into circulation.  The coins were to be part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization coin program. The program encourages farmers to grow more food and helps raise money for Agricultural projects through the sale of the coins. 

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SAUDI ARABIAN BI-METALLIC COINS 

Saudi 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 from 1902 to 1999 is based on the lunar Hegira calendar, which has slightly shorter years than a solar calendar.

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HIGH GRADE ABBASID PROVINCIAL SILVER 1/2 DIRHAM OF TABARISTAN

Tabaristan is a region on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in what is now Iran.  It was one of the last parts of Persia to fall to the Muslim conquest due to natural barriers including high mountains, numerous rivers, swamps and dense forests as well resistive population.  Even after it fell to the Abbasid Caliphate it was virtually independent and had its own distinctive, non-Muslim style coinage until about 793AD. The coins were silver 1/2 Dirhams based on the Sassanian Dirham.  The obverse featured a crowned Sassanian style bust.  The reverse features a Zoroastrian fire altar flanked by two attendants.  The coins are about 23mm in diameter, are well struck, and have little or no wear.  It is an unusual transitional coin struck by the Muslim Abbasids but retaining the design of the earlier Zoroastrian Sassanian coinage.

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SILVER COINS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

The Ottoman Empire was a vast, rich, powerful empire that at its peak spanned three continents, including much of southern Europe, western Asia and north Africa. It was founded at the end of the 13th century in what is now Turkey, and lasted until 1922. Its early coinage consisted primarily of small, poorly struck silver coins.  We are pleased to offer some of the coins of some of the Ottoman's most important early Sultans. Because the coins were produced in large quantities and have not been widely collected, they are still quite reasonably priced.   

Suleiman the Magnificent (Suleyman I) ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566.  During his long reign he greatly expanded his empire, conquering much of the Middle East, North Africa, most of Hungary and laid siege to Vienna twice.  He instituted major reforms in education, taxation and criminal law.  He was an accomplished poet, goldsmith and patron of the arts.    This silver Medini (3 Akces) of Suleiman was struck at the Amid mint, in what is now Diyabakir in Turkey. Diyabakir, located on the Tigris River is considered the "un-proclaimed capital of so-called Turkish Kurdistan".  The silver coin is approximately 13mm in diameter and is dated AH926 (1520AD).  It is an historic coin of an historic monarch.
Mahmud II ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1808 until 1839.  In 1808 Mahmud II's predecessor and half-brother, Ottoman Sultan Mustafa IV ordered his execution along with his cousin, the deposed Sultan Selim III.  Selim III was killed, but Mahmud was safely hidden by his mother and was placed on the throne of the Ottoman Empire after rebels deposed Mustafa IV. Mahmud carried out many reforms to modernize his country, including abolishing the elite Janissary corps, reforming the justice system to prevent governors from arbitrarily sentencing people to death, modernized the taxation system to prevent abuses by tax collectors, made sweeping reforms of the bureaucracy in order to reestablish royal authority and raised salaries in an attempt to limit bribery.  He was less successful  militarily, loosing the Greek war of Independence, losing Algeria to the French and losing territory in two wars against Russia.  This small, thin Para of Mahmud II was struck in Constantinople between 1832 and 1838.  The coin is struck in .170 fine silver.  Though the coin shows little wear, it is weakly struck and is so thin that the design on one side shows through to the other side of the coin.  It is remarkably inexpensive for an historic silver coin that is almost 200 years old.

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TURKEY CONVERTS MUSEUM INTO A MOSQUE

Turkey issued the bi-metallic 1 Lira coin in 2020 to commemorate the conversion of Hagai Sophia into the Grand Hagai Sophia Mosque.  The Hagai Sophia was built between 532 and 537 when Constantinople was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was the architectural marvel of its age.  For almost 1000 years it was the world's largest cathedral..  It converted to a Mosque after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453.  In 1935 Turkey converted it to a museum and it became Turkey's most visited tourist attraction.  In 2020 the Islamic government of Turkey converted it back to a mosque despite opposition of many international organizations and many Turkish citizens.  The coin depicts the mosque on one side and the denomination and date on the other.

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2022 BI-METALLIC FROM TURKEY COMMEMORATES NEW BRIDGE

Turkey commemorated the recently completed  "1915 Canakkale Bridge" that spans the Dardanelle on this 2022 bi-metallic 1 Lira coin.  1915 is part of the official name of the bridge and refers to an important Ottoman naval victory against the navies of the United Kingdom and France during World War I.  The bridge  is depicted on the obverse of the coin.  It iis the longest suspension bridge in the world with a main span of 1.257 miles (2.023 km).  The coin is 26.15mm in diameter and has the standard Turkish 1 Lira reverse.

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TURKEY CELEBRATES ITS 100th ANNIVERSARY WITH BI-METALLIC

The 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey is commemorated on this 2023 bi-metallic 5 Lira from Turkey.  One side depicts Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who was the founding father and first president of the Republic.  Below him is the 100th anniversary emblem.  The other side has the denomination and an emblem within an eight-pointed Seljuk star. 

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I LOVE UAE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates that was formed in 1971.  It has undergone rapid development and now a major commercial and transportation hub. It is host to the tallest building in the world: the Burj Khalifa.  Over 80% of its inhabitants are citizens of other countries.  The “I Love UAE” program was started to promote a stronger national unity among the diverse population.  The program included this circulating commemorative 1 Dirham that was released in 2009.  The reverse features a heart shaped ribbon surrounding a map of the United Arab Emirates with the legend “I LOVE UAE” in Arabic and English.  The standard 1 Dirham obverse is on the other side. The 23.8mm coin is struck in copper-nickel. The coin is undated (must mean it is dateless love). 

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SCARCE SILVER COIN OF THE KATHIRI STATE OF SEIYUN AND TARIM

The Kathiri Sultans controlled the towns of Seiyun and Tarim in what is now Yemen. After losing much of their territory to rival tribes they agreed to become a British Protectorate. Seiyun was the capital, and Tarim is a major center of Islamic learning.  In 1897 they had this silver 12 Khumsi coins struck at the Heaton Mint for their territory.  The coin is all in Arabic, except for the Heaton mintmark and are dated AH1315.   12 Khumsi was equivalent to 1/10 Riyal. The coin is 18mm in diameter. It is a rarely seen coin from a now forgotten nation.

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LOBSTER ON COIN OF SHORT-LIVED PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF YEMEN 

The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, also known as South Yemen or Democratic Yemen, gained independence from Great Britain after the withdrawal of the British and the collapse of the Federation of South Arabia in 1967. Over the years its relations with the Yemen Arab Republic, or North Yemen fluctuated between war and peace.  The two nations fought a war in 1972, but were peacefully united in 1990 after Democratic Yemen lost support from communist nations due to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Peace was not lasting however, a civil war between factions from the north and south broke out again in 1994.  Peace was temporarily achieved with an election in 1999, however the country continued to suffer from instability as various tribal factions. Since 2012 Yemen has been engaged in another ongoing civil war, with factions in the South supported by Saudi Arabia and factions in the north supported by Iran.  This 23mm aluminum 5 Fils coin of Democratic Yemen features a spiny Lobster.  The coins is dated in Arabic numerals 1984AD and AH1404. 

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YEMEN REPUBLIC COIN SET 

This four coin set features the most recent circulating coins of the Yemen Republic. Since 2015 the country has been torn apart by civil war.  The set includes the 2006 20 Rials that features the  rare and endangered Dragon's Blood Tree. The tree 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.  The Central Bank of Yemen building is on the 5 Rials.  A stylized eagle is on the 1 Riyal. All four coins are Uncirculated.

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FOR OTHER COINS OF THIS REGION, PLEASE CHECK OUT:

1800 YEARS OF IRAQ COINS & CURRENCY
AFGHANISTAN COIN & CURRENCY PAGE

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