Obverse. Photo © Stephan Album Rare Coins
  • 1 Pound 1971, KM# 98a, Syria
  • 1 Pound 1971, KM# 98a, Syria
Description

In 1971, the Sherritt Mint produced 10 million 27 mm 1 lira (100 piastre) coins for the Central Bank of Syria. Notably, there is a unique gold off-metal strike, which is not documented in the Sherritt Mint's Annual Coinage Summary for that year.

Obverse

Syrian coat of arms, with 3 stars on the shield.

The coat of arms of the Syrian Arab Republic consists of the Hawk of Quraish supporting a shield bearing the national flag of Syria (in vertical form), and a scroll of the words "Syrian Arab Republic" 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

Reverse

Value in a diamond shape at the centre of the rectangle, name of the country above and date (AD left and AH right) in Arabic digits below.

الجمهورية العربية السورية
ليرة ١ واحدة
١٣٩١ - ١٩٧١

Edge

1 Pound (Lira)

Pattern Off-metal
KM# 98a
Characteristics
Type Trial strike
Material Gold
Weight -
Diameter -
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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