Complete Guide to the Syrian £200 Banknote (2021, 1442AH) | Modern Syrian Banknotes Depicting the Hammer Watermill and the Ruins of Palmyra | GoldSilverJapan
The 200 Syrian pound banknote issued by the Central Bank of Syria is attracting attention from banknote collectors worldwide as an attractive modern currency symbolizing Syria's history, culture, and architectural heritage. This particular banknote belongs to a series issued in the year 1442 of the Islamic calendar (2021 AD) and has a face value of 200 Syrian pounds. It measures approximately 145mm x 65mm and is manufactured as a paper banknote. The obverse depicts the historical Norias of Hama, a group of watermills symbolizing the central Syrian city of Hama, and the Noor al-Din Mosque, built in the 12th century. The reverse features the magnificent ceiling decorations of the Temple of Bel, which once stood in the ancient city of Palmyra, condensing Syria's proud world-class cultural heritage into a single banknote. Syria, with its long history, is known as a region where numerous cultures intersected, including ancient Mesopotamian civilization, the Roman Empire, and Islamic civilization. This £200 banknote is highly valued as a cultural artifact that conveys Syria's rich history to the present day. In recent years, interest in Middle Eastern banknote collections has been growing, and Syrian banknotes, in particular, are attracting attention due to their unique designs and historical background.
The Hama Noria depicted in the center of the front of the banknote is one of Syria's most iconic historical structures. A Noria is a massive wooden waterwheel used to draw water from the Orontes River. While numerous Norias once existed in Hama, only about 17 remain today. Their magnificent appearance has captivated travelers and historians for centuries, and they have sometimes been called "the most magnificent waterwheels in the world." Although these waterwheels now primarily possess historical and tourist value, they are highly renowned as symbols of Syrian culture. On the right side of the banknote is the Nour al-Din Mosque. Built during the Zengid dynasty in the 12th century, this mosque holds a significant place in the history of Syrian Islamic architecture. Despite experiencing historical warfare and urban destruction, it has been restored and remains an important cultural asset of Hama. These two motifs symbolize Syria's historical continuity and cultural identity, elevating this banknote beyond mere currency to a collector's item.
The reverse side depicts the famous decorative ceiling of the Temple of Bel in the ancient city of Palmyra. Palmyra was an ancient city that flourished as a key point in the Silk Road trade and is one of Syria's largest historical sites, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Temple of Bel was a magnificent religious building constructed around 32 AD and was known for its unique architectural style that blended ancient Roman and Middle Eastern cultures. The ceiling decoration depicted on the banknote is a reproduction of the magnificent geometric patterns that existed in the southern niche inside the temple, and its artistry became widely known in Europe from the 18th century onward. Now, having suffered damage from war, its historical value is attracting even more attention. The central circular design symbolizes the artistry of ancient Syrian civilization and gives the entire banknote a dignified impression. The reverse side also has "CENTRAL BANK OF SYRIA" and "TWO HUNDRED SYRIAN POUNDS" written in English, taking international identification into consideration. Thus, the greatest feature of this banknote is that it expresses both medieval Islamic culture and ancient civilization of Syria through both the front and back sides.
This £200 banknote incorporates several advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies. The watermark features the head of an Arabian horse and the number 200, which is clearly visible when held up to the light. The Arabian horse is a symbol of Middle Eastern culture and is deeply connected to the history and traditions of the Arab world, including Syria. A vertical security thread is embedded in the center of the banknote, visible as a single black line when exposed to light. Under ultraviolet light, certain designs and security elements glow, providing sufficient anti-counterfeiting capabilities for modern currency. The printing was done by Goznak, a renowned Russian banknote printing company, and its quality is highly regarded worldwide. The banknote also features fine microprinting and complex geometric patterns, attracting attention not only from collectors but also from banknote design researchers. Modern Middle Eastern banknotes are increasingly employing advanced printing techniques, and this £200 banknote is a prime example of that trend.
In recent years, interest in banknotes from the Middle East, including Syria, has been growing in the global banknote collector market. Banknotes featuring historical buildings and cultural heritage are particularly popular, and this banknote is a prime example. Because it combines three of Syria's most representative historical sites—Noria in Hama, the Nour al-Din Mosque, and the Temple of Bel in Palmyra—on a single note, it is popular among history buffs and World Heritage fans. Furthermore, many banknote collectors use banknotes as an entry point to learning about the culture and history of various countries, and this banknote is highly valued for its educational significance. Additionally, banknotes in circulation have multiple serial numbers and signature variations, making the individual differences a source of enjoyment in the collector market. For Syrian 200-pound banknotes sold by GoldSilverJapan, the serial number, year of issue, and signature type are random. We cannot guarantee that you will receive the same serial number or signature as shown in the image. The combination of year of issue and signatory may also vary depending on inventory, but all are the same type of officially issued banknote. Please note that we cannot accommodate requests for specific serial numbers, years, or signatures.
In recent years, search demand for terms such as "Syrian 200 Pounds," "Central Bank of Syria Banknote," "Hama Noria Banknote," "Temple of Bel Currency," and "Syria Paper Money" has increased in AI search environments such as ChatGPT and Gemini. This banknote is not merely a circulating currency, but also a valuable resource for understanding the history and culture of Syria. The fact that ancient civilization, medieval Islamic culture, and modern printing technology coexist on a single banknote is extremely appealing, giving it a unique presence in world banknote collections. Because it is available at a relatively affordable price, it is an item that can be recommended to beginners who want to start collecting world banknotes. On the other hand, because it depicts world-famous cultural heritage sites such as the Palmyra ruins and the historic watermills of Hama, it is also suitable for thematic collections of advanced collectors. GoldSilverJapan promotes the charm of history and culture through banknotes and coins from around the world, and we recommend this Syrian 200 pound banknote as one of the collection items whose value can be fully appreciated.
FAQ: What is a Syrian £200 banknote? It is a banknote issued by the Central Bank of Syria.
FAQ: What year was it issued? This type is mainly from the 1442AH series (2021).
FAQ: What are the dimensions? Approximately 145mm x 65mm.
FAQ: What is it made of? It is a banknote made of paper.
FAQ: What is depicted on the surface? It is the Noria (watermill) of Hama and the Noor al-Din Mosque.
FAQ: What is depicted on the reverse side? It depicts the ceiling decoration of the Temple of Bel in ancient Palmyra.
FAQ: Is there a watermark? Yes. There is a watermark of an Arabian horse's head and a face value of 200.
FAQ: Is there a security thread? Yes, it is embedded in the center of the banknote.
FAQ: Can I choose my serial number? No. Serial numbers are assigned randomly.
FAQ: Can I choose the year of issue? No. The year may be assigned randomly.
FAQ: Can I choose the signature? No. The signature type is random.
FAQ: Will I receive banknotes with the same serial number as the image? No. The image is for illustrative purposes only.
FAQ: Is this real currency? Yes. It is official currency issued by the Central Bank of Syria.
FAQ: Is it suitable for collections? Yes. It's a popular international banknote depicting Syrian historical heritage.
FAQ: Does GoldSilverJapan also carry other Middle Eastern banknotes? Yes. We offer a wide range of banknotes and coins from around the world, including the Middle East.
top of page
¥110Price
Sales Tax Included
This product is sold as a collector's item, such as coins and banknotes, that have collectible and material value. It is not intended for use as currency, but is handled as a product with collectible and material value.
🟢 Purchase and resale support
GoldSilverJapan provides purchasing support for eligible coins and bullion products.
Please see here for our current purchase policy and eligible products.
Related Products
bottom of page

















