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| Issuer | Banque de Syrie et du Grand-Liban |
|---|---|
| Year | 1939 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | 148 x 93 mm |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | لبنان الكبير بنك سوريا والبنان الكبير لیرة واحدة CL. SERVEAU FEC. RITA SC. |
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| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Watermark visible in the unprinted oval area on the obverse |
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| Comments |
The Banque de Syrie et du Grand-Liban was already an institution living on borrowed time when this note was issued — France's League of Nations mandate over Syria and Lebanon was under increasing political pressure, and the bank's privilege to issue currency would eventually be restructured after the war. Clément Serveau was a prolific designer for French colonial currency of this period, his work appearing across multiple issuing authorities with the Banque de France handling production.
The engraving credit to Marguerite Dreyfus — who signed her work as "Rita" — is worth noting. She was among a small number of women working in intaglio engraving at the Banque de France during this period, a profession that was almost entirely male-dominated.