Lebanese pound banknotes

Lebanese pound banknotes constitute the paper currency of Lebanon. The first paper issues for the territory were introduced in 1925 by the Banque de Syrie et du Grand-Liban, following the French mandate administration's replacement of Ottoman and Egyptian currencies. Early series were printed in France and designed with bilingual text. Later paper issues were administered by the Banque de Syrie et du Liban, alongside emergency small-change notes produced by the government between 1942 and 1950. From 1964, note issuance was placed under the sole authority of the newly established central bank, the Banque du Liban.

During the early mandate era, paper currency was issued as a shared Syro-Lebanese pound. Although the currencies of Lebanon and Syria were officially separated in 1939, they remained interchangeable for a time. After 1945, paper money was inscribed specifically in Lebanese pounds (livre libanaise) to clearly differentiate it from Syrian notes, comprising denominations from 1 pound to 100 pounds. In 1964, the Banque du Liban began issuing denominations ranging from 1 pound to 250 pounds. Further higher denominations were introduced during the 1980s and 1990s as the currency lost value, eventually expanding up to 100,000 pounds and newly authorised higher denominations.

A defining characteristic of Lebanese banknotes is their bilingual layout. Denominations are expressed in Modern Standard Arabic on the front and French on the reverse. The Arabic side uses Eastern Arabic numerals, whereas the French side features Western Arabic numerals. On modern series, the French reverse also bears serial numbers printed in two distinct formats: one in Latin script with Western Arabic numerals, and the other in Arabic script with Eastern Arabic numerals.

Modern issues can be confirmed by the French face, which displays two separate serial numbers: one in Latin characters with Western Arabic numerals and one in Arabic script with Eastern Arabic numerals.