Catalog
1 Livre LIBAN 1939
| Issuer | Banque de Syrie et du Grand-Liban |
|---|---|
| Year | 1939 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | 148 x 93 mm |
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| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse is printed in warm ochre, blue, and green tones, structured as a triptych arch composition in an Orientalist architectural style with geometric mosaic borders. At centre-left, a multicolour landscape vignette presents a panoramic harbour view with sailing vessels on calm water and hills beyond. The denomination 'UNE LIVRE' is set in large letterpress type at centre, beneath the heading 'GRAND-LIBAN', while the bank name 'BANQUE DE SYRIE ET DU GRAND-LIBAN' appears in the upper-left arch panel. A blank oval cartouche occupies the right panel, and a small numeral '1' guilloche medallion appears at lower right. |
| Reverse lettering | BANQUE DE SYRIE ET DU GRAND-LIBAN GRAND-LIBAN UNE LIVRE REMBOURSABLE AU PORTEUR EN CHÈQUE SUR PARIS OU MARSEILLE À RAISON DE VINGT FRANCS LA LIVRE CL. SERVEAU FEC. RITA SC. |
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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.