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Auction: 403 - World Banknotes at NY INC
Lot: 499

Banque de Syrie, Syria, specimen 5 Piastres, Beyrouth, 1st August 1919,
This 5 Piastres Specimen note offers a representation of the ancient and majestic ruins of Baalbeck, a site renowned for its architectural splendour and historical significance. The front of the note features an illustration of the archaeological remains of the Temple of Jupiter, the largest and most impressive of Baalbeck’s temples. Constructed during the Roman Empire, the Temple of Jupiter stood as a monumental tribute to the king of the Roman gods. Its towering columns, some of the tallest from antiquity, remain standing today as a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship and ambition of Roman engineering.

On the reverse, Arabic and French inscriptions are flanked by decorative elements that further connect the note to its historical roots. These include bunches of grapes, symbolizing prosperity and the region’s viticulture, and a lion’s head from the frieze of the Temple of Jupiter, reflecting strength and divine protection.

(Pick 1as, PCLB 1), in PMG holder 63 Choice Uncirculated, previously mounted, only 4 notes in higher grade on PMG Census

Estimate
$800 to $1,200

Starting price
$550