Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 500 Fils 1959, KM# X1, Iraq, 1st Anniversary of the Republic of Iraq
  • 500 Fils 1959, KM# X1, Iraq, 1st Anniversary of the Republic of Iraq
Description

The 14 July Revolution, also known as the 1958 Iraqi military coup, was a coup d'état that took place on 14 July 1958 in Iraq which resulted in the toppling of King Faisal II and the overthrow of the Hashemite-led Kingdom of Iraq. The Iraqi Republic established in its wake ended the Hashemite Arab Federation between Iraq and Jordan that had been established just six months earlier.

Obverse

Depict the emblem of Iraq 1959-1965 surrounded by olive beranches and date below.

The first post-monarchical state emblem of Iraq adopted under the republican government of Abd al-Karim Qasim was based on the ancient sun-disk symbol of Shamash and Ishtar, and avoided pan-Arab symbolism by incorporating elements of Socialist heraldry.

The emblem of the Iraqi Republic is a circular design with eight radiating beams. Each beam has three segments, and between every two beams, a star-shaped projection emerges. Inside the circle, there's a blue area with a golden spike at the center, surrounded by a black wheel with eight rectangular projections on the inner side. This black wheel is encircled by a white ring. In the middle of the white ring, there's an Arabic sword on the left and a Kurdish dagger on the right. Between the two blades, the phrase "THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ" is written in Kufi script, and just below their handles, you'll find "JULY 14" and "1958" in Kufi writing as well.

الجمهورية العراقية
١٤ تموز
١٩٥٨
١٣٧٩ - ١٩٥٩

Reverse

Depicts the uniformed bust of Abd al-Karim Qasim three-quarters left, the inscription "Anniversary of the 14 July Revolution 1958" above and his name "The Leader General Major 'Abd al-Karim Qasim".

Abd al-Karim Qasim Muhammad Bakr al-Fadhli al-Zubaidi (1914–1963) was an Iraqi Army brigadier and nationalist who came to power when the Iraqi monarchy was overthrown during the 14 July Revolution. He ruled the country as the prime minister until his downfall and execution during the 1963 Ramadan Revolution. During his rule, Qasim was popularly known as al-zaʿīm (الزعيم), or "The Leader".

ذكرى ثورة ١٤ تموز ١٩٥٨
الزعيم اللواء الركن عبد الكريم قاسم

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.500
Weight 37.5 g
Diameter 35 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Alt # KM# PS4
Mint
Royal Mint

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