Iraq Kingdom, Part 1: Circulation Coins - Custom Set

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Iraq Kingdom, Part 1: Circulation Coins

Category: World Coins
Owner: Bseiso Collection
Last Modified: 11/27/2012
Set Description
The Kingdom of Iraq was the sovereign state of Iraq during and after the British Mandate of Mesopotamia. The kingdom began in August 1921 with the coronation of Faisal bin al-Hussein bin Ali al-Hashemi as King Faisal I. The kingdom ended in 1958 when the monarchy was overthrown in a coup led by Abd al-Karim Qasim, proclaiming the Republic of Iraq.

This is a two-part set of coins featuring the coins of the Kingdom of Iraq. The first part (current page) consists of all the circulating coins, including all date and mintmark varieties. The second part consists of the proof coins made during the kingdom period.

The monetary system used was simple. The main currency unit was the Iraqi Dinar, which consisted of 5 Riyals. The Riyal was equal to 4 Dirhams. The Dirham was equal to 50 Fils. In other words, 1 Dinar = 5 Riyals = 20 Dirhams = 1000 Fils

Generally, the coins can be divided into three main groups, based on the reigning monarch at the time the coins were minted.

# King Faisal I #

Though Faisal I began his reign in 1921, under the British Mandate, coins were only struck in 1931. The King died of a heart attack 2 years later. During this time, circulating coins were minted in 1931 (6 coins), 1932 (1 coin), and 1933 (7 coins).

# King Ghazi #

Ghazi succeeded the throne after Faisal I's death at 21 years of age. His reign was short-lived nonetheless as he died in 1939 under mysterious circumstances involving a car accident in a sports car. During his reign, circulating coins were minted in 1936 (1 coin), 1937 (2 coins), 1938 (14 coins, including 5 that were struck in Bombay), and 1939 (1 coin).

# King Faisal II #

The third and last monarch of this short-lived Kingdom reigned longer than his father and grandfather combined, though he died younger than both of them. That is because he became king at the young age of 4. He was eventually assassinated on July 14, 1958. During his reign, circulating coins were minted in 1943 (2 coins), 1953 (7 coins), and 1955 (3 coins).

With a couple of exceptions, this set is not very difficult to complete in lower grades, but completing it in UNC / BU is a different story as many of the coins are extremely rare in high grades such as the 1 Riyal 1932. The rarest coins in the series are the 100 Fils 1955 and the 20 Fils 1933 with the Hijra date error.

Set Goals
All of the circulation coins issued by the Kingdom of Iraq (1931-1955). Ultimately, with a bit of luck and some patience, all the coins in this set will grade MS 60 or higher.

LINKS
Part 1 | Part 2


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Slot Name
Origin/Country
Item Description
Full Grade
Owner Comments
Pics
Certification #
1 Fils, 1931//1349, Faisal I IRAQ AH1349//1931 FILS BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 62 BN 4,000,000 minted. Weight: 2.50 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.5 mm. KM-95. 2770242-001
2 Fils, 1931//1349, Faisal I IRAQ AH1349//1931 2F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 61 BN 2,500,000 minted. Weight: 5.00 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 24.0 mm. KM-96. 2775064-007
4 Fils, 1931//1349, Faisal I IRAQ AH1349//1931 4F NGC AU 50 4,500,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-97. 4155054-036
10 Fils, 1931//1349, Faisal I IRAQ AH1349//1931 10F NGC XF 45 2,400,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-98. 4155054-037
20 Fils, 1931//1349, Faisal I IRAQ AH1349//1931 20F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC XF 40 1,500,000 minted. Weight: 3.60 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 20.5 mm. KM-99. 2775064-008
50 Fils, 1931//1349, Faisal I IRAQ AH1349//1931 50F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 58 8,800,000 minted. Weight: 9.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 26.5 mm. KM-100. At least MS 62 in my opinion and will be sent for a re-evaluation. 2767540-009
200 Fils (Riyal), 1932//1340, Faisal I IRAQ AH1350//1932 RIYAL BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 61 500,000 minted. Weight: 29.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 34.00 mm. KM-101. This coin is extremely rare in UNC condition and I am definitely lucky to have one this nice. Perhaps one day I will find a MS-64 or even a MS-65, but none have been graded this high so far to my knowledge. 2761403-002
200 Fils (Riyal), 1932//1340, Faisal I (edge text upside down) IRAQ AH1350//1932 RIYAL BSEISO COLLECTION NGC VF 20 500,000 minted. Weight: 29.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 34.00 mm. KM-101. Very scarce variety, but certainly hoping to upgrade when I find a higher grade specimen. 2775064-009
1 Fils, 1933//1352, Faisal I IRAQ AH1352//1933 FILS NGC MS 63 Brown 6,000,000 minted. Weight: 2.50 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.5 mm. KM-95. 2757642-003
2 Fils, 1933//1352, Faisal I IRAQ AH1352//1933 2F NGC MS 64 Red Brown 1,000,000 minted. Weight: 5.00 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 24.0 mm. KM-96. 2757642-004
4 Fils, 1933//1352, Faisal I IRAQ AH1352//1933 4F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 55 6,500,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-97. 2770242-002
10 Fils, 1933//1352, Faisal I IRAQ AH1352//1933 10F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 55 2,200,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-98. 2770242-003
20 Fils, 1933//1352, Faisal I IRAQ AH1352//1933 20F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 55 1,100,000 minted. Weight: 3.60 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 20.5 mm. KM-99. 2760940-002
20 Fils, 1933//1252 (error), Faisal I IRAQ AH1252//1933 20F NGC AU 53 unknown mintage (included in 1,100,000). Weight: 3.60 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 20.5 mm. KM-99. This is the second rarest coin in the series (after the 100 Fils 1955) and is very difficult to obtain in high grades, but after settling for a decent VF for a few years, I found an exceptional AU 53 which originally came in an ANACS AU 55 holder. I have yet to see an example of this type in mint state. The "error" in this coin is the Hijra date that reads 1252 instead of 1352. 3617025-001
50 Fils, 1933//1352, Faisal I IRAQ AH1352//1933 50F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 58 800,000 minted. Weight: 9.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 26.5 mm. KM-100. At least MS 62 in my opinion and will be sent for a re-evaluation. 2769178-002
1 Fils, 1936//1355, Ghazi IRAQ AH1355//1936 FILS NGC MS 62 Red Brown 3,000,000 minted. Weight: 2.50 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.5 mm. KM-102. 2456467-001
10 Fils, 1937//1356, Ghazi IRAQ AH1356//1937 10F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 63 400,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-103. 2773107-006
50 Fils, 1937//1356, Ghazi IRAQ AH1356//1937 50F NGC MS 63 1,200,000 minted. Weight: 9.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 26.50 mm. KM-104. Scarcer than the 1938 issues. 2757642-010
1 Fils, 1938//1357, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 FILS NGC MS 64 Red Brown 36,000,000 minted. Weight: 2.50 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.5 mm. KM-102. 2757642-005
1 Fils, 1938//1357 (I), Ghazi IRAQ AH1357/1938I FILS BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 63 RB 3,000,000 minted. Weight: 2.50 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.5 mm. KM-102. Made at the Bombay Mint and is much scarcer than its Royal Mint counterpart. The "I" (India) mintmark can be seen under the pointed lower edge of the bust of King Ghazi. 3539441-002
4 Fils, 1938//1357, nickel, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 4F NICKEL BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 55 1,000,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-105. 2765014-010
4 Fils, 1938//1357, copper-nickel, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 4F COPPER-NICKEL BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS UNC 2,750,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-105a. 2760134-007
4 Fils, 1938//1357, bronze, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 4F BRONZE NGC MS 63 Red Brown 8,000,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-105b. 2757642-006
4 Fils, 1938//1357 (I), copper-nickel, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 4F COPPER-NICKEL BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 62 2,500,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-105a. Made at the Bombay Mint and is slightly scarcer than its Royal Mint counterpart. The "I" (India) mintmark can be seen under the pointed lower edge of the bust of King Ghazi. If you are wondering, this photo is not rotated by mistake. This is an error coin as the obverse and reverse dies were slightly rotated, resulting in a small quantity of the 4 Fils 1938 coins struck in India having rotated obverse and reverse sides. 2770242-004
10 Fils, 1938//1357, nickel, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 10F NICKEL BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 58 600,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-103. 2765014-013
10 Fils, 1938//1357, copper-nickel, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 10F COPPER-NICKEL BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 63 1,100,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-103a. 2776030-016
10 Fils, 1938//1357, bronze, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 10F BRONZE BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 65 RD 8,250,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-103b. 2776030-017
10 Fils, 1938//1357 (I), copper-nickel, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357/1938I 10F NGC MS 61 1,500,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-103a. Made at the Bombay Mint. The "I" (India) mintmark can be seen under the pointed lower edge of the bust of King Ghazi. 2757642-008
20 Fils, 1938//1357, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 20F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 62 1,200,000 minted. Weight: 3.60 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 20.50 mm. KM-106. 2767540-010
20 Fils, 1938//1357 (I), Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 20F NGC MS 62 1,350,000 minted. Weight: 3.60 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 20.50 mm. KM-106. Made at the Bombay Mint. The "I" (India) mintmark can be seen under the pointed lower edge of the bust of King Ghazi. 1880316-019
50 Fils, 1938//1357, Ghazi IRAQ AH1357//1938 50F NGC MS 65 5,300,000 minted. Weight: 9.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 26.50 mm. KM-104. 2456467-002
50 Fils, 1938//AH1357 (I), Ghazi IRAQ AH1357/1938I 50F NGC AU 58 7,500,000 minted. Weight: 9.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 26.50 mm. KM-104. Made at the Bombay Mint. The "I" (India) mintmark can be seen under the pointed lower edge of the bust of King Ghazi. This is another example where I disagree with the graders as I believe this coin should get at least MS 63. 2757642-011
4 Fils, 1939//1358, Ghazi IRAQ AH1358//1939 4F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 55 1,000,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-105. 2773107-007
4 Fils, 1943//1362 (I), Faisal II IRAQ AH1362/1943I 4F NGC MS 63 Red Brown 1,500,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-107. Made at the Bombay Mint. The "I" (India) mintmark can be seen under the pointed lower edge of the bust of King Ghazi. This is a highly sought-after one year type coin featuring Faisal II as a child during the regency period, popular in all grades and very difficult in mint state. 3353218-023
10 Fils, 1943//1362 (I), Faisal II IRAQ AH1362/1943I 10F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC UNC Details 1,500,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-108. Made at the Bombay Mint. The "I" (India) mintmark can be seen under the pointed lower edge of the bust of King Ghazi. This is a highly sought-after one year type coin featuring Faisal II as a child during the regency period, popular in all grades and very difficult in mint state. It is graded "UNC Details" because of a planchet flaw which is in fact a lamination mint error. 2762654-014
1 Fils, 1953//1372, Faisal II IRAQ AH1372//1953 FILS NGC MS 64 Red Brown 41,000,000 minted. Weight: 2.50 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.5 mm. KM-109. 2757642-001
2 Fils, 1953//1372, Faisal II IRAQ AH1372//1953 2F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 62 BN 500,000 minted. Weight: 5.00 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 24.0 mm. KM-110. 2776030-029
4 Fils, 1953//1372, Faisal II IRAQ AH1372//1953 4F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 65 20,750,000 minted. Weight: 4.00 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.0 mm. KM-111. 2776030-027
10 Fils, 1953//1372, Faisal II IRAQ AH1372//1953 10F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 65 11,400,000 minted. Weight: 6.75 g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 25.0 mm. KM-112. 2776030-025
20 Fils, 1953//1372, Faisal II IRAQ AH1372//1953 20F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC MS 63 250,000 minted. Weight: 3.60 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 20.5 mm. KM-113. Semi-key date in the series and tough in high grade. 2776030-024
50 Fils, 1953//1372, Faisal II IRAQ AH1372//1953 50F PCGS MS 65 560,000 minted. Weight: 9.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 26.5 mm. KM-114. Semi-key date, tougher than the 100 Fils of the same date, and extremely difficult to find in anything better than VF. This piece is the finest graded by NGC and PCGS combined. 18036173
100 Fils, 1953//1372, Faisal II IRAQ AH1372//1953 100F NGC MS 64 1,200,000 minted. Weight: 10.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 29.0 mm. KM-115. Semi-key date and a stunning example for this highly-sought after type. 1881400-005
20 Fils, 1955//1375, Faisal II IRAQ AH1375//1955 20F BSEISO COLLECTION NGC AU 58 4,000,000 minted. Weight: 2.80 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 19.0 mm. KM-116. A very nice example and under-graded in my opinion. 2760134-001
50 Fils, 1955//1375, Faisal II IRAQ AH1375//1955 50F NGC MS 61 12,000,000 minted. Weight: 7.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 26.0 mm. KM-117. 3155353-009
100 Fils, 1955//1375, Faisal II IRAQ AH1375//1955 100F NGC AU Details 1,000,000 minted (of which only approximately 50 exist in private hands, since the coin was never released for circulation). Weight: 10.00 g. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 29.0 mm. KM-118. This is the key coin to the Iraq Kingdom circulating coin series and is incredibly difficult to find in any condition. 3539441-001

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