The Syrian pound is the official currency of Syria, divided into 100 piasters. It is issued by the Central Bank of Syria, with banknotes in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 pounds, and coins of 5, 10, 25, and 50 pounds. The Syrian pound was introduced in 1919, pegged to 20 French francs, and later linked to the British pound until 1961. Due to the 2011 Syrian Civil War and sanctions, Syria was unable to engage in foreign trade with neighboring countries, which significantly impacted Syrian and Lebanese banks, worsening their economic situation.