How to Identify the Lebanese 1 Piastre
A collector's checklist for confirming the 1925 holed bronze Lebanese 1 Piastre: the central hole, bilingual legends, wreath reverse, metal, and authentication cautions.
Read the full Lebanese 1 Piastre encyclopedia entry →
Begin with the coin's silhouette. This 1 Piastre is a small bronze coin with a round hole punched through its center, and that pierced format dated 1925 is your first and strongest identifier. A solid, unholed coin of similar size is a different type, so the hole is a fast filter before you even read the legends.
Read both faces for the bilingual legends. The obverse should carry Arabic script alongside Latin-script (French) text arranged around the central hole, with references to Greater Lebanon (Grand Liban). The reverse should show the value framed by an ornamental wreath. Confirm the denomination resolves to one piastre and the date reads 1925; mismatched dates or a single-language legend point to another issue.
Check the physical fabric. Expect the density and warm brown color of bronze, not the pale tone of nickel or silver, and a small module consistent with low-value change. The coin should not be strongly magnetic. Corrosion, verdigris, or a damaged hole rim are condition problems rather than authenticity proof, but they do affect grade and value.
Watch for look-alikes and altered pieces. Other French Mandate and regional coinages of the 1920s and 1930s also used holed formats and bilingual legends, so match every element: the country reference, the piastre denomination, the wreath reverse, and the 1925 date together, not just the presence of a hole. Be cautious of coins where the hole appears drilled or reamed after striking, since an aftermarket hole alters an otherwise ordinary coin and is not the original mint feature.
There is no distinct mint letter you need to hunt for to identify this type, so authentication rests on design, legends, metal, and overall fabric. When a piece looks right on all of these but the price assumes top condition, compare it directly against a trusted image of a genuine 1925 holed piastre before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to confirm this coin?
Check three things together: a central hole in a small bronze coin, bilingual Arabic and Latin-script (French) legends referencing Greater Lebanon, and the value in a wreath with the 1925 date. All three at once identify the type.
How can I tell the hole is original and not drilled later?
An original central hole is clean and consistent with the design, with legends and devices arranged around it. A hole drilled after striking often cuts through inscriptions or the wreath, shows rough or bright edges, and is off-center, which reduces the coin to a damaged ordinary piece.
Could I confuse it with another country's holed coin?
Yes. Several regional and French Mandate coinages of the era used holed, bilingual formats. Read the full legends and confirm the Greater Lebanon reference and the one-piastre denomination rather than judging by the hole alone.
Is a corroded or cleaned example still collectible?
It can be, but condition matters. Verdigris, pitting, cleaning, or a damaged hole rim lower the grade and price. Original bronze surfaces with even patina and full legends are worth a premium over problem coins.