2.5 Piastres

The République Syrienne notes of 1945 were issued under French Mandate authority in the final, turbulent phase of that arrangement — France was simultaneously trying to reassert control over the Levant while the Syrian independence movement had effectively won the political argument. The 2½ piastre denomination was fractional currency, kept circulating largely because small-change shortages were chronic throughout the war years and did not resolve quickly afterward.

French forces shelled Damascus in May 1945, just weeks after notes of this series were in circulation. The Mandate formally ended the following year.