Syria 50 Pounds UNC Banknote | 2009–2021 | P#112

Ancient Writing Heritage

The front of the Syria 50 Pounds banknote is particularly distinctive because it moves away from the architectural subjects seen on several other Syrian denominations. Instead, its principal imagery presents ancient cuneiform clay tablets associated with Ebla.

The design incorporates ancient script imagery connected with the early written heritage of the region. As a result, the note creates a direct visual link between modern Syrian paper money and the much older civilizations that developed systems of writing in the ancient Near East.

Arabic inscriptions identify the Central Bank of Syria and the denomination. In addition, the cuneiform elements provide an immediately recognizable historical theme for collectors interested in archaeology, ancient languages, and early writing systems.

Consequently, the front gives the 50 Pounds denomination a collecting identity quite different from Syrian notes centered on mosques, archaeological monuments, or modern industrial subjects.

Modern Damascus Architecture

The reverse shifts the theme from the ancient world to modern Damascus. Its principal architectural subject is the Al-Assad National Library, one of the recognizable public buildings of the Syrian capital.

Alongside the library appears a statue of Hafez al-Assad. Therefore, the two sides of the banknote create a strong chronological contrast: ancient writing and archaeological heritage on the front, followed by modern Syrian institutional imagery on the reverse.

English inscriptions identify the issuing institution as the Central Bank of Syria and state the denomination as Fifty Syrian Pounds.

For collectors, this contrast makes the banknote especially useful in a Syrian series because its artwork connects very different periods of the country’s historical narrative within a single design.

Although the main artwork remains closely related, collectors can distinguish the two issues through several production details.

• 2009 P#112: Uses the earlier ascending-size serial-number format.
• 2021 Issue: Introduces a fractional serial-number format with characters of consistent size.
• Date: The later banknote carries the 2021 date alongside its corresponding Hijri year.
• Reverse Detail: A chevron ornament was added to the lower-right area of the later reverse.
• Fluorescent Feature: The fluorescent stripe found on the preceding issue was removed from the later variety.
• Printer: The production source also changed between the earlier and later issues.

Therefore, collectors interested in modern Syrian banknote varieties may choose to keep both versions. Although their major artwork is similar, the serial format and production differences provide clear reasons to catalog them separately.

• Watermark: Arabian horse head with electrotype 50.
• Security Elements: Integrated features designed for examination under normal and ultraviolet light.
• Serial Format: The serial-number arrangement helps distinguish the earlier and later issues.
• Paper: Cotton-based banknote paper.
• Dimensions: Approximately 135 × 65 mm.
• Design: Created by Austrian banknote designer Robert Kalina.

The original 2009 P#112 was printed by Oesterreichische Banknoten- und Sicherheitsdruck GmbH in Vienna, Austria. By comparison, the later 2021 fractional-serial issue was produced by Goznak in the Russian Federation.

Why the Ebla Design Matters

Many collectors organize Syrian banknotes according to denomination or Pick number. However, another approach is to collect them according to historical themes.

In that context, the 50 Pounds note has a particularly strong identity. Its ancient clay-tablet imagery connects the banknote with the development of writing and the archaeological heritage of ancient Syria.

Meanwhile, the reverse introduces a completely different period through the National Library in Damascus. Thus, one relatively small denomination covers both ancient and modern cultural subjects.

A Different Design Within the Syrian Series

The 50 Pounds note complements rather than duplicates the other denominations in this series. For example, collectors moving upward through 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 Pounds encounter different archaeological, architectural, agricultural, and cultural subjects.

Accordingly, adding P#112 helps create a more visually diverse Syrian collection rather than simply adding another denomination.

For denomination-based collections, the Syria 50 Pounds banknote provides a logical starting point before moving upward to the 100 Pounds P#113 and larger Syrian Pound denominations.

Alternatively, thematic collectors can place this issue alongside banknotes depicting archaeology, ancient writing, libraries, historical documents, or important cultural institutions.

Collectors who obtain both the 2009 and 2021 varieties can also create a compact two-note study showing how the same core banknote design evolved through changes in serial numbering and production.

• Original reference: 2009 issue catalogued as Pick P#112.
• Ancient theme: Cuneiform clay tablets associated with Ebla dominate the front design.
• Damascus subject: Al-Assad National Library appears prominently on the reverse.
• Two varieties: Earlier ascending serial and later fractional serial formats provide additional collecting interest.
• Security interest: Arabian horse watermark, electrotype 50, and UV-related elements.
• UNC condition: Suitable for organized album display and careful archival storage.

• Use archival protection: Store the note inside an acid-free, PVC-free banknote sleeve.
• Preserve the surface: Handle carefully by the edges with clean, dry hands.
• Avoid strong light: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can affect printed colors over time.
• Control humidity: Keep the banknote in a stable, dry storage environment.
• Separate varieties: If collecting both issues, label the 2009 and 2021 notes individually.
• Maintain UNC quality: Finally, avoid folding, laminating, taping, or writing directly on the banknote.

• Preparation: Orders are normally prepared within 1–3 business days.
• Protection: Each banknote is carefully protected before shipment.
• Variety Notice: Date, signature, prefix, and serial number may differ from the photographed example.
• Combined Shipping: In addition, combined shipping is available when ordering multiple Syrian or world banknotes.