Syria 1 Pound 1972

History

1 Pound 1972, KM# 103, Syria, 25th Anniversary of Ba'ath Party

Obverse. Photo © Numista

Description

The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party was a political party founded in Syria by Michel Aflaq, Salah al-Din al-Bitar, and associates of Zaki al-Arsuzi. The party espoused Ba'athism (from Arabic: البعث‎ Al-Ba'ath or Ba'ath meaning "renaissance" or "resurrection"), which is an ideology mixing Arab nationalist, pan-Arabism, Arab socialist, and anti-imperialist interests. Ba'athism calls for unification of the Arab world into a single state. Its motto, "Unity, Liberty, Socialism", refers to Arab unity, and freedom from non-Arab control and interference. The party was founded by the merger of the Arab Ba'ath Movement, led by Aflaq and al-Bitar, and the Arab Ba'ath, led by al-Arsuzi, on 7 April 1947 as the Arab Ba'ath Party. The party quickly established branches in other Arab countries, although it would only hold power in Iraq and Syria.

The Federation of Arab Republics (Arabic: اتحاد الجمهوريات العربية‎ Ittiḥād al-Jumhūrīyāt al-‘Arabīyah) was an attempt by Muammar Gaddafi to merge Libya, Egypt and Syria in order to create a United Arab state. Although approved by a referendum in each country on 1 September 1971, the three countries disagreed on the specific terms of the merger. The federation lasted from 1 January 1972 to 19 November 1977.

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Hawk Coat of arms Federation of Arab Republics Coat of arms of Syria within the Federation of Arab Republics, date (AD left and AH right) in Arabic digits below. The coat of arms of the Federation of Arab Republics consist of the Hawk of Quraish supporting a shield bearing a scroll of the words "Federation of Arab Republics" in Arabic. The Hawk of Quraish is a symbol which is found on a number of emblems, coat of arms and flags of several states of the Arab world. The Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula, today especially those from the Persian Gulf coast, are traditionally falconry experts; falcons (and hawks) are seen as status symbols and one of the Arabs' favourite animals. Also the traditions and recorded history about the Quraysh and Muhammad claim a falcon had been used as clan symbol. Therefore, several variants of the Quraishi hawk were and are seen in the flags, coat of arms, seals and emblems of several Arab states until today. In that meaning, the Hawk of Quraish is a rival to the so-called Eagle of Saladin. الجمهورية العربية السورية ١٣٩٢ - ١٩٧٢
Reverse	Device and tools (watch, compass, telescope etc.) Gear, cogwheel Geography & astronomy Map Symbol, amulet, talisman Torch Depicts a stylized map of Arabic League (North Africa and Arabic peninsula countries) and a hand holding torch with a flame divided a value above U-shaped wreath design (spike of ear and ¼ cog wheel). Name of country (Arab Republic of Syria) above, inscription "25th Anniversary of the Creation of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party" below. الجمهورية العربية السورية ليرة واحدة الذكرى الخامسة والعشرون لتاسيس حزب البعث العربي الإشتراكي
Edge	Reeded (milled)