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10 Līrāt / Livres AUB - Lee Observatory
| Issuer | Banque du Liban |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
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| Value | 10 Livres |
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| Obverse description | The obverse presents a detailed depiction of the Lee Observatory telescope mechanism at the American University of Beirut, rendered in high relief against a hatched and mirror-polished field. The mechanical assembly — comprising the telescope tube, equatorial mount, gear wheel, and drive mechanism — occupies the central field, evoking 19th-century astronomical instrumentation. To the right, a panel bearing the Lebanese cedar tree symbol is set within a grid design, accompanied by the denomination in Arabic and Latin scripts and the issuer's name. The legend BANQUE DU LIBAN arcs along the right border, with the date 2016 below. A beaded border frames the entire composition. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse is struck on a convex hemispherical surface, evoking the dome of an observatory. The curved field features an engraved panoramic scene of the AUB campus and surrounding landscape, with radiating lines suggesting the sweep of a telescope or the projection of light. At the apex of the dome, a small circular medallion bears the AUB 150th anniversary logo in mirror-proof finish, inscribed with the legends AUB 150 and WE MAKE HISTORY | 1866–2016, commemorating the sesquicentennial of the American University of Beirut. |
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| Additional information |
Issued to mark the 150th anniversary of the American University of Beirut's Lee Observatory, one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the Middle East. The observatory was established in 1874 through a donation from John Storrs Lee and served as a working research station before eventually becoming a historical landmark on the AUB campus.
Banque du Liban has produced a consistent stream of large-format silver commemoratives since the 1990s, many tied to Lebanese cultural and institutional heritage. At 155.5 grams of .999 silver, this is a five-troy-ounce piece — a format reserved for the more prestigious entries in their commemorative program.