500 SYP

Front: Ancient Roman mosaic from Shahba (ancient Philippopolis), depicting a musical scene with figures playing the lyre and other instruments. This mosaic dates from the 3rd century CE and represents the rich cultural heritage of Roman Syria; Shahba was built as the birthplace of Roman Emperor Philip the Arab (r. 244–249 CE). The mosaic scene illustrates the Hellenistic-Roman cultural synthesis that characterized the region. The note features Islamic geometric patterns in blue and a holographic patch with star motif.

Back: The Citadel of Aleppo (Qal'at Halab), one of the oldest and largest castles in the world, sitting atop a tell (artificial mound) that has been occupied since at least the 3rd millennium BCE. The current structure dates primarily from the Ayyubid period (12th–13th centuries CE) under rulers including al-Malik al-Zahir Ghazi, son of Saladin. The citadel's massive glacis and monumental entrance gate are iconic features of medieval Islamic military architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage site has suffered extensive damage during the Syrian Civil War but remains a powerful symbol of Syria's ancient and medieval history.