Syria 100 Pounds 1998 Pick 108 UNC Banknote
The Syria 100 Pounds 1998 Pick 108 banknote was issued by the Central Bank of Syria in 1998 (1419 AH) as part of the country’s redesigned modern banknote series. The note celebrates Syria’s rich Roman heritage through the Roman Theatre of Bosra and the portrait of Emperor Philip the Arab, while the reverse honours the historic Hejaz Railway, one of the Middle East’s most important rail networks.
Presented in UNC (Uncirculated) condition, it is one of the most beautiful and historically significant modern Syrian banknotes.
Historical Background
The 1998 series introduced improved security features and new cultural themes highlighting Syria’s archaeological heritage and transport infrastructure. The 100 Pounds denomination focuses on Bosra, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, and the Hejaz Railway, inaugurated in the early twentieth century to connect Damascus with Medina. The note has since been demonetized, making it increasingly popular among collectors.
Technical Specifications
- Country: Syria
- Denomination: 100 Pounds
- Year: 1998 (1419 AH)
- Pick Number: P-108
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Central Bank of Syria
- Currency: First Syrian Pound (SYP)
- Material: Paper
- Dimensions: 155 × 75 mm
- Status: Demonetized
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Roman Theatre of Bosra
- Bust of Emperor Philip the Arab (Marcus Julius Philippus)
- Arabic inscriptions
- Denomination numerals
- Serial numbers
The Roman Theatre of Bosra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is regarded as one of the finest preserved Roman theatres in existence. Philip the Arab, born in the Roman province of Arabia (modern-day southern Syria), ruled the Roman Empire from 244 to 249 AD and remains one of Syria’s most celebrated historical figures.
Reverse
The reverse depicts:
- Hejaz Railway steam locomotive
- Hejaz Railway Station in Damascus
- English inscriptions
- Large denomination numerals
The Hejaz Railway, inaugurated in 1908, connected Damascus with the Arabian Peninsula and became one of the Ottoman Empire’s greatest engineering achievements. Today, its Damascus station remains one of Syria’s most iconic historic railway buildings.
Security Features
- Watermark of an Arabian horse’s head
- Embedded security thread
- Fine guilloche engraving
- Intaglio printing
- UV security features
- Microprinting
- Serial numbering
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Syria 100 Pounds 1998 Pick 108 UNC banknote beautifully combines Roman history with early twentieth-century engineering. Featuring the Bosra Roman Theatre, Philip the Arab, and the Hejaz Railway, it is one of the most historically rich banknotes issued by Syria.
Perfect for:
- Syria banknote collections
- Middle Eastern currency collections
- Roman history collections
- Railway-themed banknotes
- UNESCO heritage collections
- UNC world paper money collections
Collector’s Note
The Pick 108 is the standard 1998 issue of Syria’s 100 Pounds denomination and forms part of the celebrated late-1990s Syrian series alongside the 50 Pounds (P107), 200 Pounds (P109) and 500 Pounds (P110c). Its depiction of the Bosra Roman Theatre and the Hejaz Railway makes it one of the most distinctive modern Syrian banknotes and a favourite among collectors of historical world currency.
