THE MIDDLE EAST
Coins and notes from this region that is so
frequently in
the
news.
For other coins
of this region, also check out
the following pages:
AFGHANISTAN
COIN & CURRENCY PAGE
1800
YEARS OF IRAQ COINS & CURRENCY
GOLD & SILVER
OF THE SLAVE KINGS
OF THE HOLY LAND
The
Mamlukes ruled an area including Syria, much of the Holyland and
Egypt from 1250 to 1517AD. The Mamlukes were slaves purchased
as
boys, usually from
Russia.
Eventually
the
slaves overthrew their masters, the Ayyubids,
and
established their own dynasty. However they continued to
import
slaves,
and usually choose their leaders from the ranks of the slaves, thus
their
ruler was also a slave! Thus the Mamlukes are known as the
"Slave-Kings".
We offer three coins from these unusual monarchs.
The first
is a gold Ashrafi of Qansuh II struck in Cairo, Egypt between 1501 and
1516AD. Qansuh was defeated by Ottoman Sultan Selem I in
1516AD,
leading to a complete collapse of the Mamluk Dynasty the following
year. We also offer a Mamluk silver 1 Dirham and
silver
fractional Dirham. The Fractional Dirham was struck
using
the dies for the larger 1 Dirham coin, even though the blank is less
than half the size of the die! The Fractional Dirham tend to
be
square or rectangular, however they come in a variety
of shapes as the mint workers were paid on how many they produced, not
on
how the coins looked.
Item
L-MAM-ASH MAMLUK GOLD ASHRAFI, QANSUH II
1501-1516 F-crude $175.00
Item
L-MAM-DIR MAMLUK SILVER DIRHAM 1260-1421AD
Good-crude $5.00
Item
L-MAM-FRA MAMLUK SILVER FRACTIONAL DIRHAM
1260-1421AD VG-crude $3.50
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF
IRAN COIN SET
This
attractive set contains five coins from the Islamic Republic of
Iran.
The Islamic Republic was founded by Ayatollah Khomeini after the
overthrow
of the Shah. Since then, economic mismanagement and harsh
restrictions
on personal and political freedom by the conservative mullahs has lead
to growing disillusionment and discontent. In keeping with
Islamic traditions which discourages the use of human figures, the
coins
honor various Islamic heroes by showing their tombs and shrines rather
than their portraits. The 5 Rials shows the Tomb of Hafez,
the 10
Rials shows he Tomb of Ferdowsi, the 50 Rials shows the Shrine of
Hazrat
Masumah and the 100 Rials shows the Shrine of Imam Reza. The
bimetal
250 Rials shows a stylized flower. The coins
date from 1995 to 1999.
Item S-IR-SET5
IRAN 5 COIN SET
5-250 RIALS (KM1258-1262) UNC.
$15.00
ISLAMIC IRAN
COMMEMORATES
ISLAM AND JERUSALEM
Shortly
after coming into power in 1979, the
revolutionary Islamic government of Iran issued two commemorative coins
that caused a bit of a stir in some diplomatic circles. The
first
is a copper-nickel 20 Rials dated both SH1358 and AH1400
(AD1979). It pictures banners with Islamic inscriptions
covering
the earth. The coin commemorates the 1400th anniversary
(based on
the Muslim lunar calendar) of the Prophet Mohammed’s flight from Mecca
to Medina in 622AD. The event, known as The Hijra, marks the
start of the Muslim calendar. Our price for this historic
coin is
less than half of its $15 catalog value. The other coin is a
1
Rial coin picturing the Mosque of Omar - which is located in Jerusalem,
Israel. The Mosque, also known as the Dome of the Rock or
Qubbet
el-Sakhra is one of the holiest sites to Jews, Muslims and
Christians. It is the site of the original Jewish Temple,
where
Jesus preached. The Foundation Stone or Rock at the
center
of the dome was where many Jews believe that Abraham offered to
sacrifice his son Isaac. Muslims believe that it is the spot where the
Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. The aluminum-bronze clad
steel coin 1 Rial is dated SH1359 (AD1980).
Item
IR-1244
IRAN 20 RIALS 1979 1400th
ANNIVERSARY KM1244 UNC.
$7.00
Item
IR-1245
IRAN 1 RIAL 1980 MOSQUE OF OMAR
KM1245 UNC. $4.00
RECENT
COINS OF IRAN
We are pleased to offer two recent coin sets from the Islamic Republic
of Iran. The first is a three coin set consisting of the 100,
250 and bi-metallic 500 Rials dating 2006 or 2007. The
bi-metal 500 Rials pictures a mythical bird and a flower and is dated
SH1385. The
250 Rials features a stylized pomegranate blossom and is dated
SH1386.
The 100 Rials shows the Imam Reza Shrine and is dated SH1385.
The
obverse of each coin has the denomination and, date and country name in
Persian. The three coin set catalogs $14, however our price
is MUCH less. Due to continued inflation, the a new set of
smaller, higher value coins were introduced in 2009. The 2009
set consists of the aluminum-bronze (brass) 250, 500 and 1000 Rials
dating SH1387. The coins depict various Islamic shrines.
The
obverse of each coin has the denomination and, date and country name in
Persian. All coins are Uncirculated
Item
IR-SET07
IRAN 3 COIN SET 100-500 RIALS 2006-07 (SH1385-86) UNC.
$6.00
Item
IR-SET09
IRAN 3 COIN SET 250-1000 RIALS 2009 (SH1387) UNC. $6.00
SILVER COINS OF
SULEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT
Suleyman
the Magnificent ruled
the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566. A powerful monarch, he expanded
his empire and nearly conquered much of Europe. Though
Suleyman
may have been magnificent, his coins tended to be small and
crude. We are pleased to offer two silver coins of this
important
ruler. The first is a small silver Akche. The Akche
was the
most widely used coin of the Ottoman Empire at the time, though,
because of its low value, bags of them were needed for any major
transaction. The other coin is a rare silver Medino (3 Akche)
minted in Amid, now known as Diyarbakir in the center of the Kurdish
area of Turkey. It is dated AH926, which corresponds to
1520AD.
Item
L-TR-SUL-AKCHEOTTOMAN AKCHE OF SULEYMAN,
1520-1566 VG-crude sold
out
Item
L-TR-SUL-MEDOTTOMAN SILVER MEDINO OF SULEYMAN
1520 VF-crude $5.00
BE A MILLIONAIRE -
INFLATION COINS FROM
TURKEY
By 2002 Turkey was a nation of millionaires! Almost everyone was a
millionaire -
but it took well over million Turkish Lira to equal one U.S. dollar.
In 2002 Turkey introduced three new high
denomination coins with almost
unbelievably
high denominations. The 1,000,000 Lira coin
pictures Yunus
Emre,
a 14th century poet and mystic. A mountain goat is on the
750,000
Lira
and a sheep is on the 500,000 Lira. It is an attractive and popular
three
coin high denomination set. Buy this coin set and become an
instant
millionaire!
Item TR-SET02
TURKEY
3 COIN INFLATION SET 2002 UNC. (KM1161-1163)
$9.75
TURKEY REVALUES ITS CURRENCY
In 2005 Turkey revalued its badly
inflated Lira. It took 1 Million of the old Lira to
equal one Yeni (New) Lira. New coins were introduced with the
new denominations.
This six coin set set includes two bimetallic coins, the 1 Yeni Lira
and
50 Yeni Kurus. Also included are the 1, 5, 10 and 25 Yeni
Kuru, all in a mint sealed folder. Each coin has a different portrait of the Ataturk, the
father of modern Turkey.
Item TR-SET06
TURKEY 6 COIN SET 2006 1 YENI KURUS-1
YENI LIRA
UNC.
$9.00
NEW 2009 COINS FROM TURKEY
In
2009 Turkey renamed its currency from the Yeni Lira or New Lire, to
the Lira. New coins were introduced bearing new designs.
All coins bear the same side view portrait of Ataturk, the
father
of modern Turkey, on the obverse. The denomination is on the reverse.
The six coin set includes 1, 5, 10 and 25 Kurus and the
bi-metallic 50 Kurus and 1 Lira.
Item TR-SET09
TURKEY 6 COIN SET 2009 1 KURUS-1 LIRA
UNC.
$9.00
ALSO SEE:
NEW 2009
BI-METAL COINS FROM TURKEY FEATURE ELEPHANTS & TURTLE
INEXPENSIVE
UNCIRCULATED 19th CENTURY
COIN OF OTTOMAN EGYPT
This Uncirculated bronze 1/40
Qirsh is dated the 12th year of the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid
II, or 1887AD. It was struck for use in Egypt. The
Sultan’s Tughra, or signature and a rose are on the obverse and Arabic
legends are on the reverse. The coin is Uncirculated, though
will be have some natural toning. It is in remarkably nice
condition, considering its age.
Item EG-287
EGYPT 1/40 QIRSH 1887 KM286
UNC.-TONED
$13.00
EGYPTIAN
COIN SET
Egypt has a very long history, extending back over 5000
years.
They also have issued a lot of coins due to an extensive series of
circulating commemorative coins. When you have over 5000
years of
history, there is a lot to commemorate. Their coin designs reflect both
their ancient and modern heritage. A supplier in Egypt
managed to
assemble sets of 75 different Egyptian coins. The
set
contains both circulated and Uncirculated coins, from the 1930’s to the
present, including issues from the Kingdom of Egypt and United Arab
Republic The sets would make an excellent start of a
collection. It would probably take years of work to assemble
so
many different Egyptian coins if one did not live there.
Item
BK-EG-SET75 75 DIFFERENT EGYPTIAN
COINS $69.75
ATTRACTIVE COINS FROM
EGYPT
This set of five Egyptian coins features that nations rich cultural
heritage. The 1984 1 Piastre features the nations most famous
landmark,
the ancient Pyramids of Giza. The 1992 5 Piastre shows an
Islamic
vase or hanging lamp. The 1992 10 Piastres shows The Mohammad
Ali
(Alabaster) Mosque in Cairo. The 1992 20 Piastres features
the
Al-Azhar
Mosque in Cairo. The 1993 25 Piastre features a center
hole.
The five coins are Uncirculated.
Item
S-EG-SET5 EGYPT 5 COIN SET 1-25 PIASTRES,
UNC.
$7.50
ALSO SEE:
EGYPT
CELEBRATES THE 1000th ANNIVERSARY OF AL-AZHAR MOSQUE
EGYPT
CELEBRATES THE ASWAN HIGH DAM
SHORT LIVED UNITED ARAB
REPUBLIC ISSUE FROM SYRIA
The United
Arab Republic was
established in 1958 through a union of Egypt
and
Syria. Its leaders
hoped it would be the
founding of a union that would eventually include most of the Arab
nations. Syria issued this silver 50 Piastre coin in 1959 to
commemorate the first anniversary of the United Republic. The
coin features an eagle with a shield with 2 stars, representing the 2
member nations. The United Arab Republic collapsed 2 years
later
when Syria withdrew, though Egypt continued to use the name for another
10 years. We offer this historic coin at far less than its
$12.00
catalog value.
Item
L-SY-89UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC - SYRIA 50
PIASTRE 1959, KM89 UNC
$7.50
Item
L-SY-89x55 of the above
U.A.R.-SYRIA 50 PIASTRES 1959, UNC .$29.50
SYRIAN
COIN SET FEATURES ANCIENT
HERITAGE AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY
This five coin set from Syria contains the copper-nickel 1996 1 Pound,
the 1996 2 Pounds that features an ancient amphitheater, plus the 2003
5, 10 and bi-metallic 25 Pounds. These three 2003 dated coins
incorporate the latest
anti-counterfeiting technology and reflect Syria's ancient cultural
heritage. All three coins have a shifting latent image
incorporated in the design. Turn the coin one way and the
initials of the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) appear, turn the coin at a
different angle and the denomination appears. The coins also
have
a lettered and reeded edge. The 25 Pounds is a
bi-metallic coin that pictures the Central Bank of Syria. The
10
Pounds features the ancient ruins at Palmyra. The 5 Pounds
shows
the medieval Citadel of Aleppo. The reverse of all the coins
features the Syrian Arms. It is an interesting set of coins,
both
because of the design and technology involved.
Item
C-SY-SET5SYRIA 5 COIN SET 1 - 25
POUNDS
1996-2003,
UNC. $8.75
ALSO SEE:
PRESIDENT ASSAD PUTS HIMSELF
ON SYRIAN COIN
COMPLETE 1955
LEBANON COIN SET
This
attractive five coin set includes all five coins Lebanon issued in
1955. They were the last coins issued by Lebanon until the
1960's. The set includes 1955 aluminum-bronze 1, 2 1/2, 5
Piastres and both types of 10 Piastres in Brilliant Uncirculated
condition. Both 10 Piastres feature the same basic design elements, an
ancient ship on one side and a Lebanese Cedar on the other.
The
first, and more artistic, type showed only part of the Cedar.
Apparently some objected to the design, as they felt it implied the
country was not complete, so a second type was issued showing the
entire tree was issued later in the year. The Cedars of Lebanon are
mentioned numerous times in the Bible and it is the symbol of the
nation today. The 5 Piastres features a lion's head on one
side
and a Lebanese Cedar. The 1 and 2 1/2 Piastres both feature
center holes. Together the five Brilliant Uncirculated old
coins
catalog for over $30, however our price is much less.
Item LB-SET55
LEBANON 1955 COIN SET: 1-10 PIASTRES, KM19-23 BU $15.00
JORDAN
COIN SET
This set of four Jordanian includes the 2000 1 Piastre and 5
Piastres, the 2004 10 Piastres and seven-sided 2004 1/4 Dinar. All four coins picture the
young King
Abdullah II of Jordan
who assumed the throne in 1999. The
reverse includes the date and denomination.
The king, an avid Star
Trek
fan, was an extra in a Star Trek
Voyager
episode in 1995.
Item
C-JO-SET4JORDAN 4 COIN
SET 2000-2004 UNC. $6.00
ATTRACTIVE COINS FROM
ISRAEL
This two coin set includes a
1/2 Lirah featuring a Menorah and a 1 Lirah showing three pomegranates,
a design based on the ancient coins of Israel. Both of the
copper-nickel coins are dated 1970 in the Hebrew
calendar
In 1980 the coins were withdrawn from circulation when a new, revalued
currency was introduced.
Item
L-IL-SET2ISRAEL 1/2 & 1 Lirah 1970,
Unc. $2.00
Also see:
JEWISH HERO SQUASHED BY AN
ELEPHANT!
WIDOW'S MITE FROM THE TIME OF
CHRIST
BAHRAIN COIN SET
INCLUDES TWO BI-METALLICS
Bahrain is a small nation on the Persian
Gulf. In
2002 the
Emir proclaimed himself King. The legend of on the coins
changed
from
"State of Bahrain" to "Kingdom of Bahrain", though the designs remained
the same. This five coin set includes the bi-metallic 2001
500
Fils showing a monument, the 2005 100
Fils showing the Bahrain crest, the 2002 50 Fils that pictures a
Bahrain Dhow, the 1992 25 Fils that portrays an ancient seal, and the
2005 10 and 5 Fils that show a palm tree. All five coins are
Uncirculated. It is an attractive coin set that is rarely
offered
for sale.
Item
S-BH-SET6BAHRAIN 6 COIN SET 5 - 500 FILS,
Uncirculated 1992-2007 out
ALSO SEE:
BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX BI-METALLIC
COMMEMORATIVE
THE (ALMOST) PERFECT CRIME
SAUDI
ARABIAN
BI-METALLIC COINS
Saudi
Arabia issued two
bi-metallic 100 Halala coins in 1999 (AH1419). The regular
issue
features a palm tree and a pair of crossed swords. The
commemorative issue honors the 100th anniversary of the Saudi
Kingdom. Saudi Arabia dates it's founding to a night in 1902
when
Abdul Aziz ibn Saud and 40 of his followers did a daring midnight raid,
capturing the Ottoman fort at Riyadh. With the support of the
conservative Islamic Wahhabi clergy, Abdul Aziz declared a
Jihad,
or holy war against the Ottomans and other rulers who controlled the
Arabian Peninsula. After the defeat of the
Ottoman's in
World War I by Allied forces, Abdul Aziz conquered neighboring Hejaz,
and consolidated his kingdom into what is today Saudi Arabia. The
design of the coin features extensive calligraphy as well as a stylized
representation of a palm tree, and the
fort. The 100
years from1902 to 1999 is based on the lunar Hegira calendar, which has
slightly shorter years than a solar calendar.
Item
C-SA-66SAUDI ARABIA 100 HALALA REGULAR ISSUE,
KM66 UNC. $5.00
Item
C-SA-67SAUDI ARABIA 100 HALALA 100TH
ANNIVERSARY, KM67 UNC.
$6.00
OMAN 1999 COIN SET
This four coin set from the Sultanate of Oman includes the 5, 10, 25
and 50 Baisa dated 1999. The coins feature the Oman arms,
which
feature crossed swords and a dagger on the obverse and the denomination
on the obverse. All four coins are Uncirculated.
Item
S-OM-SET99OMAN 1999 4 COIN SET 5 - 50 BAISA,
UNC. $4.75
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES COIN SET
In 1971,
after Great Britain
terminated its promise to protect them from external aggression, seven
sheikdoms on the Arabian Peninsula joined together to form the United
Arab Emirates. This three-coin set of the current coins of
the
United Arab Emirates includes the 1998 25 Fils showing a Gazelle, the
2005 seven-sided 50 Fils showing oil derricks (oil being the source of
much of their wealth) and the 1998 1 Dirham showing a coffee
pot.
All three coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.
Item
L-UAE-SET3UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 3 COIN SET, BU $5.00
YEMEN
REPUBLIC SET INCLUDES BI-METALLIC COIN
This four coin set features the current coins
of the
Yemen Republic. The set includes the 2004 bi-metallic 20
Rials
that features the rare and endangered
Dragon's Blood Tree. The tree that is found on the island of Sokotra
(Sucotra, Sogotra),
located approximately 200 miles (340km) off the coast of Yemen in the
Indian
Ocean. The sap of the tree has been
harvested for medicine since ancient times. The 10
Rials
features the famous 17th century Shaharah stone bridge. The
32
meter limestone bridge links two mountaintop villages seperated by a
gorge. A government building is on the 5 Rials and a stylized
eagle is on the 1 Riyal. All four coins are Uncirculated.
Item
S-YE-SET4YEMEN 1, 5, 10 & 20 RIALS SET
KM 25-29 1993-2004 UNC.
$9.50
FOR OTHER COINS OF THIS REGION, PLEASE
CHECK OUT:
AFGHANISTAN COIN
& CURRENCY PAGE
CRUSADER COINS WITH STAR OF
DAVID
1800 YEARS OF IRAQ
COINS & CURRENCY
SILVER COIN CELEBRATES KUWAITS
15th ANNIVERSARY OF
INDEPENDENCE
MEDIEVAL ISLAMIC TERRA-COTTA
TOKENS
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email: orders@joelscoins.com
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