Watch List notes:

Kingdom of Syria, Faisal b. al-Hussain (1338h / 8 March – 24 July 1920m), dinar, no mint-name (struck at Damascus) 1338/1920m, crowned shield within wreath with inscription around and date below, rev., tughra within wreath, crown above, 6.73g (KM 67), coarsely struck with small inclusion in obverse field, small obverse die-flaw at 7 o'clock and evidence of machining on reverse die with parallel circles within wreath; minimal wear and retaining some lustre, about extremely fine for issue and extremely rare. The Arab Kingdom of Syria existed officially from 8 March - 24 July 1920 and this coin is one of very few to document Syria's brief experience of monarchy. Supported by British troops Faisal b. al-Hussain entered Damascus in October 1918 and announced the creation of an independent Arab constitutional government. However this provoked strong disagreement between the British and the French, which rumbled on throughout 1919 and into 1920. On 8 March 1920 the Syrian National Congress proclaimed Faisal as king of a Syria with boundaries which encompassed Lebanon and Palestine, an arrangement which France would not tolerate. The San Remo Conference gave France a mandate to govern Syria and, having crushed Syrian opposition at the Battle of Maysalun, French forces entered Damascus on 24 July. Syria and Lebanon came under French control while the British received a mandate to govern Palestine and Mosul. Faisal himself was expelled from Syria and lived for a few months in England before being created king of Iraq in August 1921. (£10000-15000)