Iraq joins the UN

[bigjarofwasps]

Hi Guys,

Picked this up recently, thought it might be of interest. Can any tell me anything about it?

Gordon.

[Guest IMHF]

Very nice piece, but the date on it says Decemember 1945...The Flag displayed is not the 1945 flag of Iraq

1945 is the printed year on this piece? It looks like a card holder????

Thank you for sharing:

SSG Luna, Lorenzo

[bigjarofwasps]

Thanks for your reply L. I think this ingot was minted in the 70`s, would that explain the incorrect flag. What did the flag look like in the 40`s? I think I`m right in thinking that there in the process of making a new one?

[Taz]

Thanks for your reply L. I think this ingot was minted in the 70`s, would that explain the incorrect flag. What did the flag look like in the 40`s? I think I`m right in thinking that there in the process of making a new one?

Hi Gordon

The flag on the item is the 1963-91 version.

History of the Iraqi flag

1921-1959

1959-1963

1963-1991

1991-2004

2004-2008

2008 to present

Here is the 1921-1959 flag.

Regards Eddie.

Edited February 20, 2008 by Taz

[Blackbird]

I think I`m right in saying that they changed their flag after the first gulf war to this. I believe it makes some reference in the writing the mother of all battles, or something like that but I maybe wrong.

[Blackbird]

The 1921-59 one looks very much like the WW2 German Arab Free Corps badge?

[Taz]

I think I`m right in saying that they changed their flag after the first gulf war to this. I believe it makes some reference in the writing the mother of all battles, or something like that but I maybe wrong.

Hi Blackbird,

That's the 1991-2004 flag adopted on 13th January 1991.

The meaning of the three stars was changed from their original geographic meaning to representations of the three tenets of the Ba'ath party motto, Wahda, Hurriyah, Ishtirakiyah (Unity, Freedom, Socialism). Saddam Hussein decreed to place the Takbir (the words Allaahu Akbar (God is Great)) between the stars. It is said (though unconfirmed) that the words on the flag were in Saddam?s own handwriting, and many interpreted the change as an attempt to garner support from the Islamic world in the period immediately preceding the first Gulf War.

Indeed the 1921-1959 one is very similar to the German Arab Free Corps badge.

Regards Eddie.

Edited February 22, 2008 by Taz