Faisal I gold Dinar AH 1338 (1920) UNC Details (Rim Filing) NGC, KM67, Fr-10. 6.69gm. Incredibly historic and an especially fleeting type, struck from a reported mintage of just 12 pieces in the final year of Faisal al-Hussain's three-year experiment, culminating in the Arab Kingdom of Syria and Faisal's brief but storied monarchy. Despite the noted rim filing which likely was the result of suspension as a charm or pendant, the absolute rarity and historicity is undeniable, and with examples coming to market once in a blue moon, is unlikely to affect the specialist's pursuit of such an issue. The Arab Kingdom of Syria was officially recognized from March 8 to July 24, 1920, and this coin serves as one of the scant relics reflecting Syria's ephemeral monarchical phase. With the backing of British forces, Faisal bin al-Hussain arrived in Damascus in October 1918, declaring the formation of an independent Arab constitutional government. This action incited a significant discord between the British and French, an issue that persisted through 1919 and into 1920. On March 8, 1920, the Syrian National Congress crowned Faisal as the king of a Syria, its borders extending to include Lebanon and Palestine, a setup France vehemently opposed. The San Remo Conference bestowed upon France a mandate to administer Syria, and post the suppression of Syrian resistance at the Battle of Maysalun, French troops marched into Damascus on July 24. Consequently, Syria and Lebanon fell under French dominion, while Britain was granted a mandate over Palestine and Mosul. Faisal was exiled from Syria, spending a brief period in England before being inaugurated as the king of Iraq in August 1921. HID09801242017 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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