Lebanon Banknotes

Learning More about Lebanon Banknotes

Before using the Lebanese pound or the Livre Libanaise as a currency, Lebanon used several other forms of legal tender. Early and limited contemporary banknotes and coins issued in Lebanon are sought after by Middle Eastern currency collectors. Some of these collectible Lebanese banknotes and coins have been withdrawn or out of circulation, and you can find many of these rare items listed on eBay for reasonable prices.

The Lebanese pound can be categorized into coins and banknotes. Earlier forms of the pound or livre are also divided into piastres or qirsh. Collectible Lebanese coins are minted in silver and other precious metals. The price of some of the limited silver coins varies from the currency exchange spot price. Pricing is sometimes determined by trends that impact trading in silver bullion bars or prices of silver bars in ounces.

Below are some of the collectible currency issued by the Banque du Liban, Lebanon?s central bank. Pieces in mint condition are sought after by collectors. Some of these collectibles are sold on eBay.

• 1939 One pound (1 livre) - A rare piece first issued in the 1930s. It features the Baalbeck columns in the front and a city view in the back.
• One pound (1 livre) late series - The series was issued in the 1960s up to the early 1980s. The 13.5 cm x 6.5 cm paper bill features the Baalbeck columns and Jeita Grotto.
• 50,000 livre - The 50,000 is a polymer bill issued in different years to commemorate specific historical events and places. Versions of the bill featured the facade of the Banque du Liban, the end of French Colonial rule in Lebanon, and the 70th year of the Lebanese army.
• Amin Maalouf 1 livre - These are commemorative silver coins issued by the Banque du Liban in 2012 to honor the French-Lebanese writer.

The Lebanese currency has the following distinct features:

• Historical sites and events - The pieces feature historical places, events, and people from Lebanon.
• Symbols of Lebanon - The cedar tree and coat of arms are prominently seen in some of Lebanon?s legal tender. Some of the banknotes have the cedar tree as a watermark. This watermark is a security or anti-fraud detail.