© LDC63 (CC BY)
© LDC63 (CC BY)
1 Ghirsh / Piastre WW2 Emergency Coinage
1941 year| Brass | 2.6 g | 17.5 mm |
| Issuer | Syria |
|---|---|
| Period | Mandatory Republic (1930-1946) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1941 |
| Value | 1 Piastre (0.01 SYP) |
| Currency | Pound (1919-date) |
| Composition | Brass |
| Weight | 2.6 g |
| Diameter | 17.5 mm |
| Thickness | 1.3 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#352010 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 87% |
Reverse
State name and coin's value in Arabic.
Script: Arabic
Lettering:
سورية
1
غرش
Translation:
Syria
1
Piastre
Edge
Plain
Comment
See 'pattern' coin (ref. N# 142239
) for similar detail and 'circulation' coin (ref. N# 2715 ) for similar issue except for three dots forming an upright triangle. Interesting fact
The 1 Ghirsh / Piastre coin from Syria, issued in 1941 as part of the WW2 Emergency Coinage, was the first coin to feature the Arabic numeral "1" on one side and the French word "Piastre" on the other. This was a departure from the traditional Ottoman-style coins that had been used in Syria until then, which featured Arabic script and did not have any European influences. This change in design was a result of the French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, which had been established in 1920 and lasted until 1946. The use of French language and numerals on the coin was a reflection of the country's colonial history and its ties with France during that period.
