Libya is a
country in North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north,
Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and
Algeria and Tunisia to the west. With an area of almost 1.8 million square
kilometres (700,000 sq mi), Libya is the third largest country in Africa by
area, and the 17th largest in the world. The largest city and capital is
Tripoli. The three traditional parts of the country are Cyrenaica, Fezzan
and Tripolitania.
Territorial
Disputes: Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq
km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in the Tommo region of
Niger in a currently dormant dispute; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou
region reside in southern Libya.
1521 Cyrenaica part of the Ottoman Empire.
14 Aug 1551 Tripolitania part of the Ottoman Empire.
29 Jul 1711 Tripoli Regency under de facto hereditary Qaramanli
dynasty.
26 May 1835 Direct Ottoman rule restored.
1911 Independent government in Tripolitania
(in rebellion against Ottoman sovereignty).
03 Oct 1911 Italian occupation.
18 Oct 1912 Ceded to Italy by the Ottoman Empire.
16 Nov 1918 - 1923
Tripolitanian Republic (in revolt against Italy).
12 Nov 1922 Annexed to Italy (nominally 18 May 1919).
01 Jan 1934 Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, Fezzan united as Colony of Libya.
1941/1942 Tripolitania and Cyrenaica occupied by Britain,
Fezzan occupied by France.
13 May 1943 End of Italian rule.
15 Feb 1947 Italy formally cedes Libya to the Allies.
21 Nov 1949 United Nations supervision, under British and French.
24 Dec 1951 Independence as United Libyan Kingdom.
25 Apr 1963 Libyan Kingdom (federal arrangement abolished).
01 Sep 1969 Libyan Arab Republic
01 Jan 1972 - 19 Nov 1977 Part of Federation of Arab Republics
(Egypt, Libya and Syria).
28 Nov 1972 - 30 May 1994 Libya occupies (and 1975 annexes) the
Aozou (Aouzou) Strip
region in Chad.
02 Mar 1977 Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
Apr 1986 Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
23 Aug 2011 Libya (proclaimed on 10 Aug 2011).
Provisional parliamentary Republic.
CYRENAICA
1521 Cyrenaica part of the
Ottoman Empire (under Tripolitania).
1843 Sanusiya Order founded.
15 Oct 1912 Italian protectorate declared Cirenaica (Cyrenaica).
18 Oct 1912 Ceded to Italy by the Ottoman Empire.
17 May 1919 Italian Cirenaica colony.
25 Oct 1920 Italian government recognizes Sheikh Sidi Idriss as the
leader of the Sanusiya (Sensussi); with authority only in
regions of Koufrah, Djarabouh, Audjila and Djalo, with
Adjedabia (Agedabia) as capital.
1920 Italy claims
sovereignty.
1929 Italy derecognizes the
Order.
01 Jan 1934 Tripolitania, Cirenaica, and Fezzan united as Libya.
Dec 1940 - Mar 1941 British forces
occupy Bardia (5 Jan 1941), Tobruk (22 Jan
1941), Derna (Feb 1941), El Agheila and Benghazi (Feb 1941).
Feb 1941 British administration (Cyrenaica
district).
Mar 1941 - Nov 1941 Axis forces
retake El Agheila (24 Mar 1941), Benghazi (3 Apr),
Derna (Apr 1941), and Tobruk 30 (Apr 1941).
18 Nov 1941 - 31 Dec 1941 British forces retake Benghazi (24 Dec
1941), Derna
(Dec 1941), Tobruk (4 Dec 1941) and Gazala (15 Dec 1941).
21 Jan 1942 - 07 Jul 1942 Axis forces retake Benghazi (29 Jan 1942),
Derna (Dec 1941),
Tobruk (21 Jun 1942), and Bardia (June 1942).
11 Nov 1942 British forces occupy Bardia, Tobruk (13 Nov 1942),
Derna (15 Nov 1942) and Benghazi (20 Nov 1942).
Oct 1946 Sanusi emir recognized by Britain.
01 Mar 1949 Independence proclaimed (Emirate of Cyrenaica).
01 Jun 1949 Independence (Emirate of Cyrenaica) recognized by Britain.
21 Nov 1949 Cyrenaica autonomous.
24 Dec 1951 Incorporated into Libya.
25 Apr 1963 Autonomy abolished.
06 Mar 2012 Autonomy declared (not recognized by Libya) by Ahmed al-Zubair
al-Senussi (Head of Cyrenaica Transitional Council)
On the coast of eastern Libya, a Greek
Colony-Kingdom founded from Thera in the 7th century BCE. The interior
just behind the coastal settlements was the scene of intense fighting
during WWII between FM. Montgomery and FM Rommel. Capital: Benghazi (Barce
1942-1943).
Libya-Egypt, to
c. 635/630.
BATTIAD
Battus
I..............................................c. 632 - c. 600
Arcesilaus
I..........................................c. 600 - c. 583
Battus II Eudaemon....................................c.
583 - c. 554
Arcesilaus II the
Cruel...............................c. 554 - c. 550
Learchus the
Usurper...........................................c. 550
Battus III the
Lame...................................c. 550 - c. 525
Peter Bevil
Edward Acland...................30 Oct 1945 - 1946
James William
Norris Haugh.........................1946 - 1948
Eric Armar
Vully de Candole........................1948 - 1951
He was resident from 17 Sep 1949.
Emir
Sayyid
Muhammad Idris as-Sanusi (2nd
time).....Oct
1946 - 24 Dec 1951
Prime
Ministers
Umar
Mansur Kikhia.....................09 Nov 1949 - 18 Mar 1950
Muhammad
Sakizli.......................18 Mar 1950 - 24 Dec 1951
Under Libya thereafter...
FEZZAN
918 Sultanate of
Fezzan founded.
1190 - 12..
Annexed by Egypt.
1212 Annexed by Borno (Kanem).
13.. Independence recovered.
1580 - 1582
Incorporated into Ottoman Empire.
1612 - 1614
Incorporated into Ottoman Empire.
1623 - 1626
Incorporated into Ottoman Empire.
1689 - 1690
Incorporated into Ottoman Empire.
1843 Incorporated into
Ottoman Empire (Fezzan Paskalik).
1909 - 1914
Sanusi rule.
15 Oct 1912 - 11 Jan 1943 Annexed by Italy.
Aug 1914 - Jan 1915 Italian
occupation.
1915 - 1923
Sanusi rule (restored).
1923 - 1930
Anarchy, ruled by Arab nomads.
01 Jan 1934 Fezzan, Tripolitania, and Cyrencia united as Libya.
08 Jan 1943 Fezzan occupied by Free French, forces enter Sebha.
1946 UN administration
10 Jan 1947 Fezzan Territory, under French administration.
01 Jan 1948 Fezzan-Ghadamès Territory, under French administration.
24 Dec 1951 Incorporated into Libya, with autonomy.
25 Apr 1963 Autonomy abolished.
Fezzan is the arid interior of western Libya.
Capital: Sebha 1943-1951 (Murzuq c.1566-1912).
Garamantes
dynasty
Roman
Empire..........................................19 BCE - 395 CE
Western Roman
Empire.....................................395 - 428
Kingdom of
Phazana
dynasty current in the 6th and 7th centuries,
the Berauna.
The
Caliphate............................................667 - 918
Banu Khattab
dynasty
al-GHUZZI
Sharaf al-Din
Karakush..................................1190 - 1195 d. 1212
Yahya ibn Ghaniya.......................................1195
- 1209 d. 1209 >
The Nesur were a local clan who claimed a
connection to the old Berauna dynasts. They governed Fezzan on
behalf of the Kanem-Bornu (Chad) Empire.
KHORMAN
The Khorman were an Arab tribe who
overthrew the Nesur and reduced the local population to that chattal
slaves.
Beni MUHAMMAD (Awlad Muhammad
dynasty)
The Beni Muhammad were derived from a Moroccan
Sharif who broke the power of the Khorman in the mid-16th century and
established a Sultanate in Fezzan. His descendants were at times
tributary to the Pasha of Tripoli, (the Ottoman Governor of Libya), but
just as often at war with the Ottomans. Even in times of obedience,
their power within their own borders was effectively absolute.
Anglo-French
authority..................................1945 - 24 Dec 1951
French Military Governor
Maurice Sarazac................................Mar
1947 - 1950
French Resident
Maurice
Sarazac (continued)........................1950
- 24 Dec 1951
Auguste
Cauneille (acting for Sarazac)....................1951
Hakim (from 12 Feb 1950, Wali [Chef du
territoire])
Ahmad Sayf
an-Nasr.................................1946 - 24 Dec 1951
Later he became Governor of Fezzan: 24 Dec
1951 - 12 Jun 1954.
Under Libya thereafter...
TRIPOLI
(Tripolitania)
26
Mar 909 - 977
Incorporated into Egypt.
977 Part of Zirid
Kingdom.
1146 - 22 Jan 1160 Tripoli
under Norman rule (subordinated to Kingdom of Sicily).
1160 - 1248
Incorporated into Morocco (Almohad Empire).
1172 - 1190
Egyptian rule.
.... - 1202
Egyptian rule.
1248 - 1327
Incorporated into Tunis.
1327 Sultanate
1401 - 1482
Incorporated into Tunis.
1412 - 1421
Egyptian rule.
24 Jul 1510 Spanish rule in Tripoli (subordinated to Sicily).
23 Mar 1530 Spanish transfer Tripoli to the Knights of St. John
Hospitaller (Knights take possession 25 Jul 1530).
14 Aug 1551 Province of the Ottoman Empire.
29 Jul 1711 Tripoli Regency under de facto hereditary Qaramanli
dynasty.
26 May 1835 Tripoli Ottoman province (direct Ottoman rule).
1911 Independent government (in rebellion against Ottoman
sovereignty).
03 Oct 1911 Italian occupation.
05 Nov 1911 Italian Tripolitania protectorate.
18 Oct 1912 Ceded to Italy by the Ottoman Empire.
16 Nov 1918 Tripolitanian Republic
12 Nov 1922 Annexed to Italy (Italian Tripolitania colony)
(nominally from 18 May 1919).
01 Jan 1934 Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, Fezzan united as Libya.
23 Oct 1942 British administration (Tripolitania district).
20 Nov 1942 British forces occupy Benghazi, Sirte (25 Dec 1942) and
Tripoli (23 Jan 1943).
1946 UN administration.
24 Dec 1951 Incorporated into Libya, with autonomy.
25 Apr 1963 Autonomy abolished.
A port in
western Libya, it is the country's largest city. Capital: Tripoli
(Republic: Aziziyah 1918-1923).
Phoenician colony of Oea
- It was founded as a Carthaginian trading post.
"Tripoli" is named as such because Oea formed
one settlement within an extended tri-cities district. The other
settlements were Sabratha (now al-Khums) and Leptis Magna (sometimes
transcribed as Lepcis; the nearest modern town of any size is Misratah).
Leptis Magna city had been in a downward spiral since the 360's,
suffering much from Barbarian attacks, disastrous Winter flooding, and
encroaching sand dunes; by the time of the Arab conquest in 642, there
was essentially nothing left of the community. By the end of the 7th
century, references to Misratah, a caravanserai way-station, begin to
occur. Leptis Magna remains one of the best-preserved Roman cities,
owing to it being more-or-less buried under the shifting sands until
quite recently.
The
Caliphate............................................703 - 800
In this era, the governors of Tripoli were
appointed by those of Ifriqiyya and not by the Caliphs directly.
Oqba ibn Nafi'i al-Fihri (1st
time).................643 - 666
Ruwaifi' ibn Thabit al-Ansari.......................666
- 669
Oqba ibn Nafi'i al-Fihri (2nd
time).................669 - 683
Zoheïr ibn Kaïs al-Balawi...........................683
- 695
Atiya ibn Yurbu' am-Madhhidgi.......................695
- 696
Hassene ibn al-Nu'man al-Ghassani...................696
- 705
Bakr ibn Issa al-Kaïsi............................713/4
- ?
Without walis until 728.
Yezid ibn Abi Muslim al-Kindi.......................728
- 741
Safwan ibn Abi Malik................................741
- 742
Revolt of
Ukasha ibn Ayyub al-Fazari...........................741
Muawiya ibn Safawan.................................742
- 747
Ilyas ibn Habib al-Fihri............................747
- 755
Hamid ibn Abdallah al-'Aqqi.........................755
- ?
Yezid ibn Safwan al-Ma'afiri..........................?
- 759
Revolt of
Ismaïl ibn Zied an-Nafusi............................759
Amr ibn Suwayd al-Muradi............................759
- 761
Abdallah ibn Rahima.................................758
- 761
al-Mukhariq ibn Ghifar at-Taii......................761
- 768
al-Junayd ibn Bashar al-Assedi......................768
- ?
Saïd ibn Shadded......................................?
- 793
Yahya ibn
Musa......................................793 - 795
Sofiene ibn Abi-l Muhadjir..........................795
- 805
Ibadhite Imams
Djebel Nefusah is a hill
country in the interior of western Libya, south of Tripoli. The
district was in the hands of a group of Kharijite Imams of the
Ibadhiyah sect during the 8th through 10th centuries CE. The
Kharijites ("Withdrawers", "Seceders") are Muslims who rejected both
Sunni and Shi'ite interpretations of Caliphate succession and
developed an idealist and deed-oriented version of Islam. The
Ibadhiyah are the moderate wing of the Kharijtes, as opposed to the
radical Azariqah movement of Basra, in Iraq.
Abu-l-Khattab
Abd al-A'la ibn Assamh al-Ma'afiri....758 - 761
Mehmed Saqizli Dey.................................1631
- 07 Nov 1649
Osman Saqizli Dey...........................07
Nov 1649
- 1672
Osman Reis as-Suhali Dey...........................1672
- 28 Nov 1672
Bali Janush [Javush] Dey....................28
Nov 1672
- 26 Apr 1673
Arnavut Halil
Pasha.........................26 Apr 1673 - 1675
Mustafa Pehlevan Dey...............................1675
- May 1675
Ibrahim Misrli-Oglu Dey........................May 1675
- 03 Apr 1676
Ibrahim Jelebi Dey Annebli..................05
Apr 1676 - 07 Apr 1676
Mustafa el-Kbir Dey
Estenquilli.............07 Apr 1676 - 04 Apr 1677
Osman Baba Wakil Al Khardj Dey..............04
Apr 1677
- 27 Apr 1678
Aq Mehmed Bey al-Hadded.....................27
Apr 1678
- 09 Sep 1679
Hasan Abaza Dey.............................09
Sep 1679
- 11 Jun 1683
Yulk Muhammad Dey...........................11
Jun 1683 - 13 Jun 1683
Ali al-Jezairli.............................13
Jun 1683
- 18 Jun 1684
Hajji Abdallah Dey Izmirli..................18
Jun 1684
- 08 Feb 1687
Ibrahim Terzi Dey..............................May
1687 - Nov 1687
Mehmed Pasha al-Imam Kerdeki (1st
time)........Nov 1687
- 19 May 1701
Osman al-Kahwadji Dey Dragutli..............19 May
1701 - 11 Aug 1701
Mustafa Gallipoli Dey.......................11
Aug 1701
- 29 Jul 1702
Mehmed Pasha al-Imam Kerdeki (2nd
time).....29 Jul 1702
- Oct 1706
Khalil [or Hilal] Pasha Karh Deghli............Oct 1706
- Nov 1709
Ibrahim al-Arkli Aleyli [Alayali]..............Nov 1709
- 23 Nov 1710
Ibrahim (or Ismaïl) Khoudja [Hoça]..........23
Nov 1710
- 20 Jan 1711
Hajji Rejeb Dey [Haçi
Reçeb]................20
Jan 1711 (3 hours)
Mehmed Husein Javush [Hüseyin
Çavush] Bey...20 Jan 1711 -
04 Jul 1711
Abu Umais Mehmed............................04
Jul 1711 - 29 Jul 1711
KARAMANLI
Nominally Ottoman governors (Beys), the
Karamanli in fact ruled as de facto independents.
Ahmad
I [Sidi
Hamid Qaramanli Quluglu]...........29
Jul 1711 - 04 Nov 1745
Muhammad
I [Mehmed
Pasha]........................04
Nov 1745 - 24 Jul 1754
Ali I............................................24
Jul 1754
- 30 Jul 1793 d. 1795
BURGHUL
Ali
II Burghul Pahsa Çezayrli (usurper)..........30
Jul 1793 - 20 Jan 1795
KARAMANLI
Ahmad II Pasha...................................20
Jan 1795
- 11 Jun 1795
Yusuf Pasha ibn
Ali..............................11
Jun 1795
- 20 Aug 1832 d. 1838
In 1801, Yusuf demanded
a tribute of $225,000 from United States President Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson, confident in the ability of the new United States Navy to
protect American shipping, refused the Yusuf Pasha's demands. Yusuf
Pasha unofficially declare war in May 1801 by chopping down the flagpole
before the American consulate. The US Navy successfully blockaded
Tripoli's harbors in 1803. After some initial military successes, most
notably the capture of the USS Philadelphia, the pasha soon found
himself threatened with invasion by American ground forces following the
Battle of Derna (April 27 - May 13, 1805) and the reinstatement of his
deposed brother, Hamet Karamanli, recruited by the American army officer
William Eaton. Yusuf Pasha signed a treaty ending the war on June 10,
1805. The Battle of Derne was the first recorded land battle of the
United States on foreign soil after the American Revolutionary War.
Mehmed (1st
time in rebellion).................................1817
Muhammad II [Mehmed
ibn Ali] (1st time in rebellion)...........1824
Mehmed (2nd
time in rebellion).................................1826
Mehmed (3rd
time in rebellion).................................Jul
1832
Ali
III..........................................20 Aug 1832 - 26 May 1835
By 1819, the various
treaties of the Napoleonic Wars had forced the Barbary states to give up
corsair activity almost entirely, and Tripoli's economy began to
crumble. As Yusuf Pasha weakened, factions sprung up around his three
sons; though Yusuf abdicated in 1832 in favor of his son Ali III, civil
war soon resulted. Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II sent in troops ostensibly to
restore order, but instead deposed and exiled Ali III, marking the end
of both the Karamanli dynasty and an independent Tripoli.
Muhammad
II [Mehmed
ibn Ali] (2nd time in rebellion)...........1835
Ottoman
Empire...................................26 May 1835 - 1911
Walis of Tripoli
Mustafa Negib
Pasha.........................27 Jun 1835 - 07 Sep 1835
Mehmed Reis
Pasha...........................07 Sep 1835 - Apr 1837
Italo Balb.......................................01
Jan 1934 - 28 Jun 1940
Rodolfo Graziani, marchese di Neghelli...........01
Jul 1940 - 25 Mar 1941
Italo Gariboldi..................................25
Mar 1941 - 19 Jul 1941
Ettore Bastico...................................19
Jul 1941 - 02 Feb 1943
Giovanni Messe (acting)..........................02
Feb 1943 - 13 May 1943
Allied Military
Occupation..............................1943 - 1945
Anglo-French
authority..................................1945 - 24 Dec 1951
UN Commissioner
Adrian Pelt (Netherlands)........................10
Dec 1949 - 24 Dec 1951
He arrived in Tripoli on 18 Jan 1950.
SANUSI
(Kingdom)
Sayyid Muhammad Idris as-Sanusi..................24
Dec 1951 - 01 Sep 1969
The discovery of significant oil reserves in 1959
and the subsequent income from petroleum sales enabled the Kingdom of Libya
to transition from one of the world's poorest nations to a wealthy state. It
also discontent mounted with the rise of Nasserism and Arab
nationalism/socialism throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Coup
d'état on 01 sep 1969 by a group of about 70 young army officers lead by
Muammar Gaddafi, known as the Free Officers Movement and enlisted men mostly
assigned to the Signal Corps, seized control of the government and in a
stroke abolished the Libyan monarchy. The coup was launched at Benghazi, and
within two hours the takeover was completed. Army units quickly rallied in
support of the coup, and within a few days firmly established military
control in Tripoli and elsewhere throughout the country. Popular reception
of the coup, especially by younger people in the urban areas, was
enthusiastic. Fears of resistance in Cyrenaica and Fezzan proved unfounded.
No deaths or violent incidents related to the coup were reported.
When Libya was a part of the Ottoman Empire, the country
used the Ottoman qirsh (XOTP), issuing some coins locally until 1844. When Italy
took over the country in 1911, the Italian lira was introduced. In 1943, Libya
was split into French and British mandate territories. Algerian francs were used
in the French mandate, whilst Tripolitanian lira issued by the British Military
Authorities were used in the British mandate. In 1951, the pound was introduced,
replacing the franc and lira at rates of 1 Pound = 480 Lire = 980 Francs. Coins
were issued in 1952 in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 milliemes, 1 and 2 piastres.
"P.V." designer initials below the bust of King Idris I on all 1952 issues.
KM#1
1 millieme. Year:
1952. Weight:
2.99g [3.00g]. Metal:
Bronze.
Diameter:
18.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Crown on the top. "Millieme" in Arabic on
both sides anti-clockwise. Value "1 Millieme" in Arabic with date in the
center. "ONE MILLIEME" at the bottom. Reverse:
King Idris I's portrait facing right in the center. "King of Libya"
at right side in Arabic anti-clockwise. "Al-Idris I" at left side in
Arabic anti-clockwise.
Mintage:
7,750,000 + 32 Proof.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#2
2 milliemes. Year:
1952. Weight:
6.02g [6.00g]. Metal:
Bronze.
Diameter:
24.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Crown on the top. "Millieman" in Arabic on
both sides anti-clockwise. Value "2 Milliemes" in Arabic with date in
the center. "TWO MILLIEMES" at the bottom. Reverse:
King Idris I's portrait facing right in the center. "King of Libya"
at right side in Arabic anti-clockwise. "Al-Idris I" at left side in
Arabic anti-clockwise
Mintage:
6,650,000 + 32 Proof.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#3
5 milliemes. Year:
1952. Weight:
9.72g [10.00g]. Metal:
Bronze.
Diameter:
28.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Crown on the top. "Khamasa" at right side in
Arabic anti-clockwise. "Milliemat" on left side in Aerabic
anti-clockwise. Value "5 Milliemes" in Arabic with date in the center.
"FIVE MILLIEMES" at the bottom. Reverse:
King Idris I's portrait facing right in the center. "King of Libya"
at right side in Arabic anti-clockwise. "Al-Idris I" at left side in
Arabic anti-clockwise
Mintage:
7,680,000 + 32 Proof.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#4
1 piastre. Year:
1952. Weight:
3.77g [3.75g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
19.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Crown on the top. "Qirsh" on both sides in
Arabic anti-clockwise. Value "1 Qirsh Libi" in Arabic with date in the
center. "ONE PIASTRE" at the bottom. Reverse:
King Idris I's portrait facing right in the center. "King of Libya"
at right side in Arabic anti-clockwise. "Al-Idris I" at left side in
Arabic anti-clockwise
Mintage:
10,200,000 + 32 Proof.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#5
2 piastres. Year:
1952. Weight:
7.46g [7.50g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
26.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Crown on the top. "Qirshan" on both sides in
Arabic anti-clockwise. Value "2 Qirshan Libyan" in Arabic with date in
the center. "TWO PIASTRES" at the bottom. Reverse:
King Idris I's portrait facing right in the center. "King of Libya"
at right side in Arabic anti-clockwise. "Al-Idris I" at left side in
Arabic anti-clockwise
Mintage:
6,075,000 + 32 Proof.
Minted Years: One year
type.
1965 - AH 1385 coinage under Idris I (Libyan
Kingdom)
In 1965, a second series of coins was issued in
denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 milliemes. The pound was replaced, at
par, by the dinar in 1971 following the Libyan Revolution of 1969. These coins
continued to circulate after 1971 as no new coins were issued until 1975.
KM#6
1 millieme. Year:
1965-AH1385. Weight:
1.69g [1.75g]. Metal:
Nickel-Brass.
Diameter:
16.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Libyan Kingdom" at the top in Arabic.
Crowned national arms in the center. Dates at the bottom. Reverse:
"1 Miillieme" value in Arabic with wreath below. "ONE MILLIEME" at the
bottom.
Mintage:
11,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#7
5 milliemes. Year:
1965-AH1385. Weight:
2.53g [2.50g]. Metal:
Nickel-Brass.
Diameter:
12 sided; 20.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Libyan Kingdom" at the top in Arabic.
Crowned national arms in the center. Dates at the bottom. Reverse:
"5 Miilliemat" value in Arabic with wreath below. "FIVE MILLIEMES" at
the bottom.
Mintage:
8,500,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#8
10 milliemes. Year:
1965-AH1385. Weight:
2.99g [3.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
19.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Libyan Kingdom" at the top in Arabic.
Crowned national arms in the center. Dates at the bottom. Reverse:
"10 Miilliemat" value in Arabic with wreath below. "TEN MILLIEMES" at
the bottom.
Mintage:
17,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#9
20 milliemes. Year:
1965-AH1385. Weight:
5.84g [6.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
24.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Libyan Kingdom" at the top in Arabic.
Crowned national arms in the center. Dates at the bottom. Reverse:
"20 Miilliema" value in Arabic with wreath below. "TWENTY MILLIEMES" at
the bottom.
Mintage:
8,750,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#10
50 milliemes. Year:
1965-AH1385. Weight:
6.93g [7.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
12-sided; 26.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Libyan Kingdom" at the top in Arabic.
Crowned national arms in the center. Dates at the bottom. Reverse:
"50 Miilliema" value in Arabic with wreath below. "FIFTY MILLIEMES" at
the bottom.
Mintage:
8,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#11
100 milliemes. Year:
1965-AH1385. Weight:
10.74g [11.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
29.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Libyan Kingdom" at the top in Arabic.
Crowned national arms in the center. Dates at the bottom. Reverse:
"100 Miillieme" value in Arabic with wreath below. "ONE HUNDRED
MILLIEMES" at the bottom.
Mintage:
8,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
Guide of the Revolution (de facto
Chief of State)
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar
al-Qaddafi...........01 Sep 1969 - 23 Aug 2011
He contiues in rebellion at Sirte to 20 Oct 2011.
Chairman of the Revolutionary Command
Council
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar
al-Qaddafi...........08 Sep 1969 - 01 Mar 1979
Secretaries of the General People's
Congress (nominal chiefs of state)
Muammar
Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Qaddafi...........02 Mar 1977 - 01 Mar 1979
He also served as Prime Minister from 16 Jan 1970
to 16 Jul 1972.
Abdul Ati al-Obeidi..............................01
Mar 1979 - 07 Jan 1981
Muhammad az-Zaruq
Rajab..........................07 Jan 1981 - 15 Feb 1984
Mifta al-Usta Umar...............................15
Feb 1984 - 07 Oct 1990
Abdul Razzaq as-Sawsa............................07
Oct 1990 - 18 Nov 1992
Zentani Muhammad az-Zentani......................18
Nov 1992 - 03 Mar 2008
Muftah Muhammad al-Sanusi Kaiba..................03
Mar 2008 - 05 Mar 2009
Mubarak Abdallah al-Shamikh......................05
Mar 2009 - 26 Jan 2010
Muhammad Abul-Qasim al-Zwai......................26
Jan 2010 - 23 Aug 2011
Chairman of the National Transitional
Council
Mustafa Muhammad Abdul Jalil.....................05
Mar 2011 - 08 Aug 2012
in rebellion to 23 Aug 2011 in Benghazi.
President of the General National
Congress of Libya
Mohammed Ali Salim (acting).....................09
Aug 2012 – 10 August 2012
Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf......................10
Aug 2012 - date
1975 - AH1395 coinage (Libyan Arab Republic)
Currency:
Libyan Dinar (LYD) = 1000 dirhams
The dinar (Arabic: دينار) is the currency of Libya. Its
ISO 4217 code is "LYD". The dinar is subdivided into 1000 dirham (درهم). It was
introduced in 1971 and replaced the pound at par. It is issued by the Central
Bank of Libya, which also supervises the banking system and regulates credit. In
1972, the Libyan Arab Foreign Bank was established to deal with overseas
investment. Until 1975, old coins denominated in milliemes (equal to the dirham)
circulated. In 1975, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50
and 100 dirham which bore the coat of arms of the Federation of Arab Republics.
"الجماهيرية العربية الليبية" [Libyan Arab Republic] is written on all 1975
issues.
KM#12
1 dirham. Year:
1975-AH1395. Weight:
1.69g [1.75g]. Metal:
Brass Clad Steel.
Diameter:
16.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Coat and Arms in the center. Dates on both
sides. "Libyan Arab Republic" in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"1 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
20,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#13
5 dirhams. Year:
1975-AH1395. Weight:
2.48g [2.50g]. Metal:
Brass Clad Steel.
Diameter:
18.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Coat and Arms in the center. Dates on both
sides. "Libyan Arab Republic" in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"5 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
23,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#14
10 dirhams. Year:
1975-AH1395. Weight:
2.98g [3.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel Clad Steel.
Diameter:
19.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Coat and Arms in the center. Dates on both
sides. "Libyan Arab Republic" in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"10 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
52,750,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#15
20 dirhams. Year:
1975-AH1395. Weight:
5.41g [5.50g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel Clad Steel.
Diameter:
24.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Coat and Arms in the center. Dates on both
sides. "Libyan Arab Republic" in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"20 dirhama" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
25,500,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#16
50 dirhams. Year:
1975-AH1395. Weight:
6.21g [6.25g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
25.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Coat and Arms in the center. Dates on both
sides. "Libyan Arab Republic" in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"50 dirhama" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
25,640,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#17
100 dirhams. Year:
1975-AH1395. Weight:
8.00g [8.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
27.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Coat and Arms in the center. Dates on both
sides. "Libyan Arab Republic" in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"100 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
15,433,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
1979 - AH1399 coinage (Socialist People's
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)
These were followed in 1979 by a second series of coins,
in the same denominations, which bore a design of a horseman in place of the
arms. ¼ and ½ dinar coins were issued in 2001 and 2004, respectively. In 2009,
new 50, 100 dirhams, ¼ and ½ dinar coins were issued. 1, 5, 10, and 20 dirham
coins are rarely used as units of exchange. However, they still retain their
status as legal tenders.
On 2 March 1977, the GPC, at Gaddafi's behest, adopted the
"Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority" and proclaimed the
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Arabic: الجماهيرية العربية الليبية
الشعبية الاشتراكية, al-Jamāhīrīyah al-Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha‘bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah).
In the official political philosophy of Gaddafi's state, the "Jamahiriya" system
was unique to the country, although it was presented as the materialization of
the Third International Theory, proposed by Gaddafi to be applied to the entire
Third World. Jamahiriya (Arabic: جماهيرية jamāhīrīyah) is an Arabic term
generally translated as "state of the masses"; Lisa Anderson has suggested "peopledom"
or "state of the masses" as a reasonable approximations of the meaning of the
term as intended by Gaddafi.
KM#18
1 dirham. Year:
1979-AH1399. Weight:
1.74g [1.75g]. Metal:
Brass Clad Steel.
Diameter:
16.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with dates on his both
sides. "Socialist People's Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the bottom. Reverse:
"1 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
1,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#19
5 dirhams. Year:
1979-AH1399. Weight:
2.46g [2.50g]. Metal:
Brass Clad Steel.
Diameter:
18.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with dates on his both
sides. "Socialist People's Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the bottom. Reverse:
"5 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
2,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#20
10 dirhams. Year:
1979-AH1399. Weight:
2.99g [3.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel Clad Steel.
Diameter:
19.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with dates on his both
sides. "Socialist People's Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the bottom. Reverse:
"10 dirhama" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
4,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#21
20 dirhams. Year:
1979-AH1399. Weight:
5.51g [5.50g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel Clad Steel.
Diameter:
24.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with dates on his both
sides. "Socialist People's Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the bottom. Reverse:
"20 dirhama" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
6,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#22
50 dirhams. Year:
1979-AH1399. Weight:
6.30g [6.25g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
25.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with dates on his both
sides. "Socialist People's Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the bottom. Reverse:
"10 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
9,120,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#23
100 dirhams. Year:
1979-AH1399. Weight:
7.98g [8.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
27.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with dates on his both
sides. "Socialist People's Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya" in
Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"100 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
15,000,000.
Minted Years: One year
type.
1369 solar years after Prophet Muhammad's
death (2001 CE) coinage
(Greater Socialist People's Libyan Arab
Jamahiriya)
Libya was renamed in Apr 1986 as Great Socialist People's
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya [(الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية
العظمى) al-Jamāhīrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha‘bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah al-‘Uẓmá].
This phrase is written on all the coins issued in 2001, 2004 and 2009.
KM#26
1/4 Dinar. Year:
1366 solar years after Prophet Muhammad's death
[2001 CE]. Weight:
11.27g [11.25g]. Metal:
Nickel-Brass.
Diameter:
29.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded and Plain; 5 patched each. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with date above him. "Greater
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"Quarter Dinar" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years: One year
type.
1372 solar years after Prophet Muhammad's death (2004 CE) coinage
(Greater Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)
KM#27
1/2 Dinar. Year:
1372 solar years after Prophet Muhammad's death
[2004 CE]. Weight:
11.62g [11.65g]. Metal:
Bi-metallic; Copper-Nickel outer ring and Brass
in the center.
Diameter:
29.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
Horseman in the center with date above him. "Greater
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the bottom.
Reverse:
"Half Dinar" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years: One year
type.
1377 solar years after Prophet Muhammad's death (PD) - 2009 CE coinage of Greater Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
KM#28
50 dirhams. Year:
1377 PD -2009. Weight:
5.44g [5.50g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
24.75 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Greater
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the top.
Horseman in the center. Dates at the bottom.
Reverse:
"50 dirhama" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#29
100 dirhams. Year:
1377 PD -2009. Weight:
6.94g [7.00g]. Metal:
Copper-Nickel.
Diameter:
27.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Greater
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the top.
Horseman in the center. Dates at the bottom.
Reverse:
"100 dirham" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years: One year
type.
KM#30
1/4 Dinar. Year:
1377 solar years after Prophet Muhammad's death
- 2009 CE. Weight:
8.14g [8.15g]. Metal:
Nickel-Brass.
Diameter:
29.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded and Plain; 5 patched each. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Greater
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the top.
Horseman in the center. Dates at the bottom.
Reverse:
"Quarter Dinar" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years: One year
type.
Note: Besides
the design and legend size difference from 1369 PD issue, this coin
has a horizontal edge on the top instead of the pointed one. The
thickness of the coin is also reduced as indicated from the weight.
KM#31
1/2 Dinar. Year:
1377 solar years after Prophet Muhammad's death
- 2009 CE. Weight:
10.33g [10.50g]. Metal:
Bi-metallic; Copper-Nickel outer ring and Brass
in the center.
Diameter:
29.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
N/A. Obverse:
"Greater
Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya"
in Arabic at the top.
Horseman in the center.
Date at the bottom.
Reverse:
"Half Dinar" value in Arabic with wreath below, surrounded by design.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years: One year
type.