From inflation to translation: a study of Syrian banknotes

Abstract

This study examines Syrian banknotes as translations of the nation. Through a contextualised visual analysis, it showcases the interrelatedness of political reality and money design, focusing on the issue of 500-, 1000-, 2000- and 5000-pound notes in the context of the Syrian war (2011-present). With the aim of demonstrating the potency of abstract icons to address, reinforce and/or deflate questions of power and representation, the study offers insights into the (re)fashioning of national identity at a time of political crisis. Authorised by the government, money iconography reflects the effects of the Syrian war and contributes to the self-fashioning of the Syrian state at large.
KEYWORDS: Banknote Iconography, Syria, National Narratives, Translation