Syria 50 Qirsh 1974

History

Obverse. Photo © Stephan Album Rare Coins

Description

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.

In 1975, the Sherritt Mint produced 5,472,000 23.2mm nickel coins with a denomination of 50 qirsh (piastre) for the Central Bank of Syria. Notably, all of these coins bore the date of the previous year. Additionally, there were two off-metal strikes in gold, but these are absent from the Sherritt Mint's Annual Coinage Summary for 1975.

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. اتحاد الجمهوريات العربية ١٣٩٤ - ١٩٧٤
Reverse	Value in center square of design above sprigs, name of country above. الجمهورية العربية السورية ٥٠ قرشا
Edge	Reeded (milled)