Catalog
1 Lira
| Issuer | Military Authority in Tripolitania |
|---|---|
| Year | 1943 |
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| Value | 1 Lira |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | ISSUED BY THE MILITARY AUTHORITY IN TRIPOLITANIA ONE LIRA 1 LIRA طبع بامر السلطة العسكرية لطرابلس الغرب |
| Reverse description | The reverse, rendered entirely in green on plain paper, centres on a large oval guilloche cartouche bearing the bold numeral 1 above the word LIRA in letterpress. The central oval is framed by an elaborate border of acanthus-leaf scrollwork and fine lathe-work rosettes, with symmetrical foliate vignettes flanking either side and guilloche ornaments filling the corners. |
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| Comments |
The Allied Military Authority began issuing occupation currency in Tripolitania following the British Eighth Army's capture of Tripoli in January 1943. This 1 Lira was part of that first emergency series, produced to replace Axis-era Italian colonial notes and give military administrators a controlled medium of exchange in a territory still actively close to front lines.
The series is closely related to British Military Authority notes used simultaneously in other theatres — the design approach was standardized across occupation currencies, with local issuing text distinguishing them. Genuine examples from Tripolitania circulated only briefly before the territory's monetary situation was absorbed into broader Allied administration.