The front of the 1-livre notes (B501) dated 1964-1980 depict the ruins of Corinthian columns of the Roman Temple of Jupiter in Baalbek. However, I can’t find any info on the unknown archeological artifact shown below.
The front of the 5-livre notes (B502) dated 1964-1986 depict the National Museum of Beirut building with columns. However, I can’t find any info on the kneeling bull sculpture, figure with raised arm standing on coin, nor the meaning or language of the writing in the border.
IDENTIFIED: The bull is a protome from the Aecheminid Dynasty (5th Century BC) found in Sidon, Lebanon.
IDENTIFIED: The writing in the margins look to be Phoenician, though the meaning and source of the inscription is still unclear.
IDENTIFIED: The figure is Baal with raised arm standing on 400-330 BC Phoenician 1/8th shekel silver coin from the City of Byblos, King Adramelek.
If anyone knows what these objects are, please contact me with details.
Courtesy of Petar II Blagojevic, Robin Hughes, Don Cleveland, and Abdullah Beydoun.