Need Help Identifying a Coin

SPEEDracer · May 29, 2004 6:40PM

I bought this coin on the Iraqi Market and I am having a really hard time to identify it. I asked an Iraqi, an he said that it was a commorative coin for education. It is silver and the size of a silver dollar. I belive that it is a one dinar piece. From the mirror-like background I also belive that it is a proof coin. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Oh, and yes, they are scratches on the coin, but I just like the look of the coin so much that I had to buy it. I only paid $5 for it, so I figured that the value of silver alone was worth the purchase. I have seen a lot worse variations of this coin selling at other marketplaces for $30-50. If anyone has a value on this coin, I would also greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

EJR

NJMark1 · May 29, 2004 10:21PM

Not listed under Iraq. Date 1979 Also not listed under turkey, sudan,algeria,iran. No time to look furture now. Sorry

Mark

newsman · May 29, 2004 11:30PM

It's definitely Iraqi, because that's what the inscription says. Perhaps it's a medal, because I don't see any indication of denomination.

BTW, where in Iraq are you?

SPEEDracer · May 29, 2004 11:56PM

newsman, you said that it is definately Iraqi because of the inscription...what all does the inscription say? I'm not doubting that it is a medal...I have seen a lot of Iraqi Medals. Most of them with Saddam's face on it.

tbirde56 · May 30, 2004 1:13AM

Interesting piece. The Muslim year 1400 didn't begin until Nov.21, 1979 so all the official Iraqi coins carry an equivalent date of 1980 unlike the 1979 on this piece. Also, the toughra probably indicates it is a commemorative for the 15th century of the Hegira. It may be a government issued medal or possibly a pattern 1 Dinar? If someone can translate the Arabic that may help solve the mystery.

newsman · May 30, 2004 11:00AM

Okay, here are the inscriptions, starting from the left side, top: "By order of President Saddam Hussein, we will destroy illiteracy." I can't read the middle part because the writing is too small.

On the opposite side, it reads: "Iraqi Republic -- Day of Advancement" and the date AH1400/AD1979

tbirde56 · May 30, 2004 11:51AM

Cool!

SPEEDracer · May 30, 2004 12:07PM

newsman, thank you for your help. you prove to be ever insightful.

sumnom · May 30, 2004 7:42PM

"By order of President Saddam Hussein, we will destroy illiteracy." I can't read the middle part

So newsman, you were among the first victims of this campaign?

SPEEDracer · May 30, 2004 8:49PM

Ok, I have to admit, that was funny.

sumnom · May 30, 2004 11:34PM

mrpaseo · May 30, 2004 11:55PM

Hey, that reminds me. While I was there we had the interpreters ask the locals for any old coins they had. They found some interesting stuff. It's best if you get out there with them so if you feel like taking the chance and will be walking around the shops have the interpreters ask about them.

If you go tot he fence line where you are the kids usually hang out, go tell them that you want coins. They will most likely pring back the current 9 coins (The small copper ones are the hardest to find) but if you tell them you want OLD ones. Some of them will bring them back.

God luck and be sure to post picks of what you get

Ray

SPEEDracer · May 31, 2004 1:26AM

My fence line is a 20 foot concrete wall. You do have a good point though. Maybe I should talk to some of the local nationals.

newsman · May 31, 2004 1:42AM

<< My fence line is a 20 foot concrete wall. You do have a good point though. Maybe I should talk to some of the local nationals. >>

Mrpaseo's advice is a good way to get some nice coins, but be careful what you buy. All antiquities -- including coins -- coming back from Iraq are assumed by US Customs to have been looted unless proven otherwise. I know a couple of journalists who were nailed coming back to the US with stuff they got in Iraq.

Sumnon -- My Arabic teacher was a kindly old Lebanese woman whose husband was a Baptist minister, so she was a lot gentler than Saddam.

The only problem was she wouldn't teach me any bad words, but my Palestinian friends were glad to oblige.

SPEEDracer · May 31, 2004 1:45AM

I've heard about the coin thing. Do you know exactly what countries are included in the customs regulation?

newsman · May 31, 2004 1:49AM

<< I've heard about the coin thing. Do you know exactly what countries are included in the customs regulation? >>

They're paying special attention to Iraq right now because of the looting at the national museum and at historical sites. I bought some old silver Saudi, Iranian and British India coins in Kuwait and the Customs people didn't care. Of course, I also had a receipt.

SPEEDracer · May 31, 2004 1:53AM

<< Of course, I also had a receipt. >>

That is not an easy thing to get around here.

newsman · May 31, 2004 2:01AM

<< 

<< Of course, I also had a receipt. >>

That is not an easy thing to get around here. >>

Yes, that's true. I got mine by asking the shopkeeper to write it on the back of his business card. I'm sure some of the more enterprising Iraqi merchants might find a similar way to cover you if they're honest.

SPEEDracer · May 31, 2004 2:35AM

I know that the dealers at the bazar have to give you a receipt, but the marketplace guys are just out for money and don't really care about receipts. They are very easy to bargin with though. I've talked one down from $40 for a coin to $10 plus 5 other coins for free. But in their society, $10 is a lot of money and if you look like you are going to walk away, they will sell it to you for pretty much the price you want. I wish the States was like that.

hetman · May 31, 2004 3:08AM

Does this mean that US Customs is actively searching out coins of incoming people??

It's a good thing they didn't go after Mr. Cacheman.

mrpaseo · May 31, 2004 7:57AM

I actually carried a couple hundred coin with me, no one said anything. Oc corse they were all common ones. When I came home for R&R I did carry a book with the good ones in them. Nothing to rare just the ones that don't normally circulate. There was another soldier (With Psyops) that got to go out alot and always had an interpiter with him. So he got alot of coins. I also sent a few home in the mail.

With the Journalist, I'm figuring the timeframe, the location and the type had to do with him getting hastled.

Good luck with your search SPEEDracer and keep us up to date with what you find.
Ray

SPEEDracer · May 31, 2004 11:20AM

I've had no problems mailing out coins...so maybe i'll just ship my collection...INSURED.

sumnom · May 31, 2004 7:48PM

In all honesty, newsman, it impresses me to no end that you can speak and read Arabic.

SPEEDracer · May 31, 2004 10:50PM

I second that.

newsman · June 1, 2004 12:02AM

<< In all honesty, newsman, it impresses me to no end that you can speak and read Arabic. >>

Learning Korean can't be any easier, so you deserve a

too.

SPEEDracer · June 1, 2004 1:17AM

<< Learning Korean can't be any easier, so you deserve a

too. >>

When I was stationed in Korea I had a KATUSA (Korean Augmentee for The United States Army) as a roommate for 8 months...I didn't learn much more than saying hi, thank you, your welcome, and a few other choice words.

I respect anyone who can speak more than 1 language.

Need Help Identifying a Coin

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