PREVIEW: THE IBRAHIM SALEM COLLECTION OF SYRIA AND LEBANON

Ibrahim Salem has the most extraordinary curriculum vitae: Professional Design Architect
Dubai – United Arab Emirates, Founder of several Humanitarian Organizations, recipient of
International awards, recipient of the Medal of Merit of First Degree of King Hussein, by HM King Abdullah II of Jordan, and author of several IBNS journal articles.

He is also a Numismatic and Banknote collector, life member of most numismatic societies, and author of the prized book Banknotes of Destiny: Fame... Fortune... Fatality...

His lavishly illustrated 396-page book, The Bank Notes of The Levant, is a spectacular showcase of his collection of Lebanese and Syrian banknotes spanning over 100 years of Levantine history. One of the finest such collections ever assembled, the book has illustrations of both sides of every note, in addition to providing a wealth of information on the notes and the wider history of the region.

Not only are Noonans distributing the book on behalf of Ibrahim Salem – a prize addition to any numismatic library – but they will also be presenting that collection on the rostrum at a dedicated auction, with the date to be confirmed

Around 130 of the almost 370 lots are valued in at least four figures – some in five – making this a rich offering indeed. Quality and rarity are also key attributes.

Among the highlights is an outstanding leather-bound and gold-edged presentation book with gold debossed cover lettering containing two specimen copies of each of the Banque de Syrie notes issued in 1920. They include 1 Piastre, 1 January 1920, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 Piastres, 10 and 25 Livres, 1 July 1920, 50 and 100 Livres, 1 January 1920 and 100 Livres, 1 July 1920.

Each of the 24 notes is glued to individual pages so that one obverse and one reverse of each note is showing, all with SPECIMEN perforations and most with small black SPECIMEN handstamps.

The book was originally presented to Monsieur Ginier Giljet, the head of note issuance at the Bank of France, and comes with the original presentation letter, dated 11 October 1921.

Although the notes are laid down firmly, most are in excellent condition, though some of the large format examples have some damage to the inner margins where the pages of the book have closed on them. There is minimal discolouration due to glue, and the book itself is in remarkable condition. The letter is folded once but is otherwise in perfect condition.

“This is an utterly magnificent presentation of the highest rarity and quality, and containing some of the most beautiful notes ever produced by Bradbury Wilkinson,” said Noonans’ Head of Banknotes, Andrew Pattison. The estimate is £30,000-40,000

A Banque de Syrie et du Liban, Syria, 25 Livres, from 1947, with serial number L.2 179, and signed by Bulsson and Souayal, forms another highlight. The reverse carries an image of the entrance to the Citadel of Aleppo, without Syrian Republic overprint. This is very fine and exceptionally rare note, especially since only the first two of 29 series were issued without the hand stamps. With a slight repair it carries hopes of £7,000-£9,000.

A Banque de Syrie et du Grand-Liban, Syria 10 Livres, dated 1 November 1930, has the serial number O.39 229. With Berard and Laferriere signatures, the reverse shows the Temple of Venus at Baalbeck. This astonishingly rare note, with only three examples graded by PMG, is expected to sell for £6,000-£8,000.

Also featured is the single finest graded example of the Syria, Faisal I Dinar, dating to AH 1338 (1920). Issued in Damascus, the coin was issued during the very short-lived Arab Kingdom of Syria, which officially existed for just over four months from March 8 to July 24, 1920, making it one of the rare artefacts commemorating Syria's brief experiment with monarchy. A superb example with full mint bloom, mint state and of the absolutely highest rarity is expected to fetch £30,000-£40,000.