Syria 1948 10 piastres
This specimen was lot 988 in Stephen Album sale 30 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2018), where it sold for $499.38. The catalog description[1] noted, "SYRIA: Republic, 10 piastres, 1948/AH1367, only 15 examples known, PCGS graded Specimen-67, ex King's Norton Mint Collection." This specimen was issued by Syria during the time of the Republic for 1948 and 1956 only. The denomination was last issued in 1979. Syria, part of the Ottoman Empire since 1516, broke free as part of the Arab Revolt during World War One but fell under French domination in 1920. French control, never firm, collapsed during World War Two and Syria obtained independence in 1944. The country has been ruled by various dictators since. This type was accompanied by five (KM 82) and 2½ piastres (KM 81).
Recorded mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: 4 g, copper-nickel, 21 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-83.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 30, featuring the George Anderson Collection of Tibetan Coins, the Dr. John W. Lund Collection of Swedish Coins and the Mike Edwards Collection, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2018.
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