Hallo. I have an interesting stuff of a Syrian coins. As I know, a Syrian coins are rather exotic in USA. Probably, it will be interesting to see such coins for you, my friends. My Syrian collection is not numerous, but interesting. Hope, you'll enjoy it. Regards. Eugene.
10 piastres 1965, aluminium-bronze, weight - 4 g., size - 21 mm, thickness - 1,76 mm, mintage - 22000000 pcs.
25 piastres 1974, nickel, weight - 3,5 g., size - 20,3 mm, thickness - 1,38 mm. The single release only.
25 piastres 1976, nickel, weight - 3,3 g., size - 20,2 mm, thickness - 1,38 mm, mintage - 1000000 pcs. "FAO". The single release only.
50 piastres 1979, copper-nickel, weight - 5 g., size - 23,3 mm, thickness - 1,7 mm. The single release only.
The coins of ancient Syrian cities also present a wealth of fascinating numismatics. I won't inundate the thread, though. Just a few... Elagabalus of Antioch, Syria AE 20, 4.02g, 12h; Antioch. Obv.: AVT K MAP AV ANTWININOC, laureate head right. Rev.: SC, within wreath, delta-epsilon above, eagle below. Reference: BMC 430v; Butcher 468.
Antioch ad Orontes, Semi-Autonomous AE23, 10.77g, 12h, Denomination A; Antioch: after 47 BC Obv.: Laureate head of Zeus right; countermark of Cleopatra VII. Rev.: [A]NTIOΣEΩN [ME]TPOΠOΛ[EΩΣ]; Zeus seated left, holding Nike and scepter, thunderbolt above. Reference: Butcher 20, SNG Cop 80 Notes: The attribution of the countermark to Cleopatra is conjectural, but seems to jibe with the historical and numismatic evidence.
Nabataean Kingdom: Aretas III, 87-62 BC AE20, 7g, 12h; Damascus Mint, 87-62 BCE Obv.: Diademed head of Aretas III right Rev.: Tyche of Damascus, turreted, seated left on rock, wearing long mantle, holding uncertain object in right hand, river god swimming below, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ΑΡΕΤΟΥ/ΦΙΑ-ΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ Reference: Meshorer 6A
One pound 1978, nickel, weight - 7,5 g., size - 27 mm. "Re-election of president Hafez Al-Assad". The single release only.
John Anthony beat me to it with an ancient coin. This one was minted in Damascus. This Grypos guy was essentially the last of the Seleukid Kings of Syria. SELEUKID KINGDOM Antiochos VIII Epiphanes (Grypos) AR Tetradrachm 121-96 BC 16.68 grams, 29 mm. Obv: Diademed head facing right Rev: Zeus Standing Left holding star & sceptre with crescent over head; two monograms to outer left, [IPP] (date) in exergue, BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ANTIOXOY right EΠI.ΦANOYZ to left of Zeus, all within laurel wreath. Grade: VF+ nicely toned. Other: Antiochos VIII Epiphaes was a Seleukid King of Syria nicknamed Grypos (hook nose). Grypos was essentially the last of the Seleukid Kings of Syria. This Damaskos mint coin is dated SE 197 (116/5 BC). Similar to Sear 7143; SC 2323.5b; HGC 9, 1197f. From Sphinx Numismatics Oct. 2014.
Bostra, now known as Bosra, in Southern Syria, was the capitol of Roman Provincia Arabia... 1. Provincia Arabia: Julia Mamaea, after 180 - 235 AE22, 4.3g, 12h; Bostra Mint, 222-235 Obv.: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA;Draped bust of Julia Mamaea right. Rev.: COLONIA BO-STRA; Turreted bust of Tyche left, cornucopiae over left shoulder, Reference: SNG ANS 6: 1231-1236 2. Provincia Arabia, Trajan, AD 98-117 AR Drachm, 17mm, 3.37g; Bostra: AD 114-116. Obv.: [AVTOKP] KAIC NEP TPAIANW APICTW CEB ΓEPM ΔAK; Laureate, dr. and cuir. bust r. Reverse: ΔHMAPX EΞ [VΠATO S]; Camel to left Reference: SNG ANS 1058
And a coin I haven't properly attributed yet, a semi-autonomous issues of Laodicea ad Mare, modern-day Latakia, Syria...
The modern Syrian eagle seems to have retained much of the style of the Roman tetradrachms of Antioch. Compare...
