Lebanon (1941) 2-1/2 piastres
This specimen was issued by Lebanon as a wartime issue in aluminum. During the war, Germany, through Vichy France, used Lebanon to move military equipment east into Iraq. To thwart this, the Free French recognized Lebanese independence and moved British and French troops into the area. These aluminum issues are all undated but struck in 1941. Prices range according to the degree of design centering. The second specimen was lot 72141 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "LEBANON. Aluminum 2-1/2 Piastres, ND (1942-45). PCGS MS-64 Gold Shield. Local (emergency/WWII) issue. The third of four denominations struck locally while the Paris mint was unable to supply coinage, this piece presents a solid strike with even, steely gray surfaces."
Recorded mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: aluminum.
Catalog reference: KM-13; Lec-48.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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