Syria Unveils Redesigned ‘Faceless’ Currency, Drops Assad-Era Imagery

Damascus: Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Monday unveiled newly redesigned banknotes that remove images of former ruler Bashar al-Assad and his family, marking a symbolic break with the country’s past and an effort to stabilise the battered national currency after years of civil war.

The new notes, described by officials as a ‘faceless’ currency. feature agricultural symbols such as roses, wheat, olives and oranges, reflecting Syria’s heritage rather than individual figures. Denominations will range from 10 to 500 Syrian pounds and are set to enter circulation on January 1.

As part of broader monetary reforms, authorities will remove two zeros from the currency in a process known as redenomination. While the move will not change the pound’s actual value, it is intended to simplify transactions and help restore confidence in the currency.

Unveiling the new banknotes, Sharaa said the redesign represents “the end of a previous, unlamented phase and the beginning of a new phase the Syrian people aspire to,” adding that it reflects a new national identity and moves away from the “veneration of individuals.”

Since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011, the pound has collapsed from around 50 to nearly 11,000 per US dollar, forcing Syrians to carry large amounts of cash for everyday purchases. The redenomination aims to ease this burden and reduce reliance on foreign currencies.

“Syria deserves a strong economy and a stable currency,” Sharaa said, noting that the overhaul would strengthen trust in the pound and encourage its use in daily transactions.

The previous banknotes were printed in Russia, a key ally of the Assad government. Syrian Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir al-Hasriya declined to disclose where the new currency would be printed.