25 pounds 1978

Common. This is a regular issue from the lengthy 1977-1991 circulation period for the Syrian 25 Pounds denomination. Market evidence from eBay transactions shows UNC examples selling for $7.50-$15 USD in 2016-2019, and current catalogue valuations list UNC at $15, well below the $50+ threshold that would indicate scarcity. The extended 14-year issue period, combined with modest contemporary eBay activity showing multiple sales of UNC examples, confirms this as a readily available note in the collector market. No print run restrictions, recall history, or short-lived issuing circumstances are documented.

Issued during Syria's 1977-1991 currency series under the Central Bank of Syria, this note commemorates two significant elements of Syrian heritage: the Krak des Chevaliers (Qalaat al-Hosn), one of the most impressive Crusader fortifications in the Levant, and Sultan Saladin (Salah ad-Din), the legendary 12th-century military leader who unified the Islamic world and reclaimed Jerusalem. The reverse prominently features the modernist Central Bank of Syria building in Damascus, symbolizing the nation's post-independence economic sovereignty and institutional development during the Ba'athist period.

The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Sultan Saladin (Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi) wearing traditional Islamic royal attire with an ornate turban and robes, rendered in detailed engraving style on the right side of the note. Dominating the center-left is an architectural rendering of the Krak des Chevaliers, depicted as a fortified citadel with multiple towers and crenellated defensive walls, shown in perspective to emphasize its imposing fortress character. The reverse showcases the modernist Central Bank of Syria building in Damascus, a multi-story governmental structure with a regular grid of rectangular windows and symmetrical facade, framed by landscaping elements. Both sides employ elaborate decorative borders featuring Islamic geometric patterns and floral motifs in pink, purple, green, and cream colorways, with denomination numerals '25' positioned in ornamental corner frames. Arabic and English bilingual inscriptions appear throughout, reflecting the official bilingual presentation standard of Syrian currency.

Front side: 'مصرف سوريا المركزي' (Central Bank of Syria), 'خمسة وعشرون جنيه سوري' (Twenty-five Syrian Pounds), 'قلعة الحصن' (Citadel of al-Hosn/Krak des Chevaliers), 'صلاح الدين' (Saladin), 'وزير الاقتصاد' (Minister of Economy), date '١٩٧٨' (1978), denomination '٢٥' (25). Back side: 'CENTRAL BANK' (English text), 'Central Bank of Syria' (English text), 'Twenty Five Syrian Pounds' (English text), denomination '25' and date '1978' (Arabic numerals).

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) combined with offset lithography for the multicolor background elements and decorative patterns. The fine line work, geometric precision, and intricate floral borders visible in the visual analysis are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The multi-color layering and sharp detail definition observed in both the obverse and reverse indicate professional security printer production, consistent with Central Bank of Syria banknote standards of the 1970s-1980s era. The note exhibits the hallmark characteristics of BLN (Banknote Printers Limited) or similar European security printers commonly employed by Middle Eastern central banks during this period.

Pick P-102b variety designation indicates this is the second identified variant within the P-102 base catalogue number. The PMG Population Report indicates P-102e as an alternate variant designation. The visual analysis shows this specimen dated 1978/AH1398 with the characteristic dark blue and dark green on multicolor underprint. The watermark features an Arabian horse's head, consistent with the reference catalog notation 'Like #100b' (referencing the similar 1977-1991 series 100 Pounds note). No visible signature variations, overprints, or serial number prefix anomalies are apparent in the analyzed images that would distinguish this as a sub-variety within P-102b. The AH1398 Islamic calendar date and dual Arabic/English inscription set distinguish this from potential earlier variants in the series.