Country ISO code: SY

Official language: Arabic

Language ISO code: ar

Current official currency: Syrian Pound

Currency ISO code: SYP

Complete Financial History of the Syrian Arab Republic

Current official currency: Syrian Pound (ل.س)

• ISO code: SYP

• Symbols: ل.س, LS, £S

• Singular name: Pound

• Plural name: Pounds

• Monetary subdivision: 1 Pound = 100 Piastres (Qirsh)

• Fraction singular name: Piastre (Qirsh)

• Fraction plural name: Piastres (Qurush)

• Initial production date: 1920 (first Syrian Pound coins issued under French Mandate)

• Final production date: Still in circulation

• Initial circulation date: 1920

• Final circulation date: Still in circulation

• Mint: Central Bank of Syria, with contracted international mints

• Issuing bank: Central Bank of Syria

Coin denominations

• 1 Piastre

• 2 Piastres

• 5 Piastres

• 10 Piastres

• 25 Piastres

• 50 Piastres

• 1 Pound

• 2 Pounds

• 5 Pounds

Banknote denominations

• 50 Pounds

• 100 Pounds

• 200 Pounds

• 500 Pounds

• 1000 Pounds

• 2000 Pounds

• 5000 Pounds

Economic and historical context

• Under Ottoman rule until WWI, Ottoman currency was used, based on gold and silver standards.

• In 1888, the Ottoman gold lira became the main currency unit.

• After the Ottoman collapse, the British military briefly used the Egyptian pound in Syria.

• In 1919, the Bank of Syria and Lebanon was established under French Mandate, issuing the first unified currency in 1920.

• After independence in 1946, the Bank of Syria and Lebanon continued issuing currency until the Central Bank of Syria was established in 1953, taking over currency issuance and monetary policy.

• The Syrian Pound has undergone various political phases: Syrian Kingdom (1918-1920), French Mandate (1920-1946), Syrian Republic (1946-1958), United Arab Republic (1958-1961), and Syrian Arab Republic since 1961.

• Currency designs reflect political and economic developments, maintaining subdivision into Pounds and Piastres.

Minting and production locations

• Coins minted by Central Bank of Syria and contracted international mints.

• Banknotes printed domestically and internationally as needed.

Designs and symbols on coins and banknotes

• Coins bear national symbols such as the state emblem and traditional motifs.

• Banknotes feature Syrian landmarks, state symbols, Arabic calligraphy, and images of national figures and historical events.

Production volumes, honorees, and seals

• No specialized commemorative banknotes issued; general circulation issues prevail.

Commemorative coins and curiosities

• No specific commemorative coins issued, but special editions related to official currency exist.

Current circulation status

• Syrian Pound is the sole legal tender actively circulating in Syria, used in all financial transactions.

Issuing authority

• Central Bank of Syria

Relevant monetary legislation

• Currency governed by Central Bank of Syria laws and national financial regulations.

Names and titles of banknote signatories

• Banknotes bear the signature of the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria.

Persons honored on coins and banknotes

• Coins and banknotes honor national symbols and heritage elements, including prominent national figures.

Official language recognized by the state for administrative, legislative, judicial, monetary, and educational use:
Arabic is the official language of Syria, used in all official domains.