All Articles
A complete archive of everything published on The Arab Collector, from special features to short reference reads.
Egyptian civilization on American currency
The secret of the engraved design inspired by Egypt: In 1908, two denominations of American gold coins, the $5 and $2.50, were introduced with a new design inspired by and intended to honor Native American culture. These coins became known as the Half and Quarter Eagles (the ten-dollar bill was called the Eagle, hence the five-dollar coin was called the Half Eagle and the 2.5-dollar coin the Quarter Eagle, while…)
February 20, 2026The most beautiful and last French gold coins
The 100-franc gold coin designed by Lucien Bazur is the last French gold coin and one of the most magnificent coins ever minted. It also has a fascinating story, which we will attempt to summarize in this article. After World War I, many countries, including France, faced significant economic challenges. The war had depleted national gold reserves…
February 20, 2026Personal union in history
We have all heard of instances where two or more countries unite, voluntarily or by force, to form a single state. Personal unions have occurred in our modern Arab history; for example, Syria and Egypt entered into a merger in 1958, forming the United Arab Republic. Our article today discusses another form of this union, one usually associated with a monarchical system of government, and whose core element is…
February 20, 2026British East India Company
The Founding of the Company and its Military Influence: Today we will learn about the company that minted coins in its name and possessed an army larger than that of the country it came from. It is the East India Company. Often referred to as the EIC, the East India Company was a British trading company founded in 1600. The East India Company played a crucial role in the history of trade, colonialism, and the global economy.
February 20, 2026Commemorative foundation coins: treasures buried beneath parliaments
While most coins are made for circulation and exchange among people, some coins are minted so that people never use them, or even see them. They are buried as soon as they are made and disappear from sight. In today's article, we will learn about a special category of commemorative coins called foundation coins (foundations of buildings) buried beneath the floors of parliaments, cathedrals, and palaces around the world…
February 20, 2026Rare Zenobia coins up for Heritage Auction
The Heritage Auctions coin sale, featuring two rare Syrian coins, concluded on the morning of August 20th, Syrian time. Although minted in Alexandria, Egypt, these coins represent a rare political document demonstrating how a Syrian queen established herself at the heart of the Roman monetary system. Let's explore these two coins and the story of Zenobia, in the mid-third century...
February 20, 2026The secret of the two letters on Roman coins
What is the secret of the two letters on Roman coins? In our next article, we will answer today's riddle. First, it's worth noting that one of our perceptive followers discovered something unusual in the image of the Orois coin we shared: the presence of the Latin letters SC. Collectors of Roman coins are accustomed to seeing these letters on bronze and copper coins, so why is it so strange to see them on gold coins? Let's find out…
February 20, 2026The Black Stone of Homs: A God's Journey from Homs to Rome
The Black Stone of Homs: The Syrian city of Homs is known in popular memory as the City of Black Stones, or the Mother of Black Stones, due to the abundance of dark basalt volcanic rocks that surround the city and have been part of its architecture for centuries. However, Homs was historically known for one particular black stone, a stone that was not merely an element of nature, but a center of worship…
February 20, 2026The crescent moon on coins
In celebration of the holy month of Ramadan and the sighting of its blessed crescent moon, let us examine the crescent on coins issued in Egypt throughout Islamic history and before. First, we must understand that the crescent is a symbol used on various types of coins, some Islamic and many others non-Islamic. We have chosen a notable example: a Mamluk fils (coin) of Sultan al-Mansur Ala' al-Din Ali ibn...
February 19, 2026History of Arab currency
The history of Arab currency studies the evolution of monetary systems in the Arab world from ancient times to the modern era, including both coinage and paper money. This field aims to understand how money was organized, its relationship to political power, economic development, and the construction of national sovereignty. The history of Arab currency is an essential part of the financial and administrative history of the Arab world, reflecting economic and social transformations…
February 17, 2026Year of the Red Horse 2026
Between Eastern mythology and the clash of symbols… The Fire Horse is unleashed with untamed energy. In the Year of the Fire Horse 2026, Romfilatelia, as part of its traditional Chinese zodiac series, released the «Zodiacul chinezesc – Anul Calului de Foc» edition to celebrate the start of the new lunar year, which began on February 17, 2026, and continues until February 20, 2027. The edition consists of a single stamp valued at 25…
February 17, 2026History of Arab Post
The history of the Arab postal service is an important part of studying the development of postal and administrative systems in the Arab world. It reflects the methods and techniques Arabs used to transmit messages and organize communication between regions and countries throughout the ages. This history demonstrates the development of administrative institutions and the political and social impact of the postal system. This article examines the stages of development of the Arab postal service, its most important forms of correspondence, and the influence of postage stamps…
February 13, 2026The Beach of Sorrows (Gaza): Laughter and Tears Amidst the Rubble of History
Episode One (Beginnings): I yearn for the land of Gaza… even if my silence betrays me after our separation. May God bless a land whose soil, if I could but possess it… I would use to adorn my eyes with it, so intense is my longing. Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i. I pondered a title for a series of articles exploring the ancient history of Gaza, and I found myself choosing "The Shore of Sorrows," a title that, unfortunately, applies to both the past and the present.
February 12, 2026Ioannis Kapodistrias – A History of Russian Diplomacy
“A documentary and technical analysis of the 2026 Ioannis Kapodistrias stamp issue within the History of Russian Diplomacy series. Explore the political dimensions of a statesman who served the Russian Empire and founded independent Greece, with comprehensive technical and artistic details.‘
February 10, 2026Monetary History
“Explore monetary history as a tool for understanding the development of states and sovereignty. The article deals with the stages of transition from barter to metal and paper money, and the role of central banks in shaping modern monetary systems, with a special focus on the Arab context.”
February 10, 2026When the post office lets down stamp collectors
Disappointment at the “House of the Hobbyist”: Loyalty in a Time of Decline. The decline in the performance of traditional postal services is no longer a mere passing complaint, but a painful reality felt by stamp collectors, the most loyal members of this institution. Those who value stamps as historical and cultural documents find themselves today facing a frustrating experience: lost letters and undelivered mail. 1. Loss…
February 7, 2026Postal History
The postal service is one of the oldest organizational systems devised by human societies to ensure the transfer of information and messages between individuals, institutions, and nations. It was not merely a means of communication, but a fundamental administrative, political, and economic tool that contributed to nation-building, governance, connecting regions, and promoting trade. The history of the postal service serves as a living record of the evolution of communication methods and reflects the level of institutional organization at each stage…
February 7, 2026The difference between numismatics, philately, and paper currency
Introduction: Numismatics, philately, and banknotes are often confused because all three fields rely on seemingly similar tangible materials such as coins, stamps, and banknotes. However, each is an independent field of knowledge with its own subject matter, methodology, and research questions. This article aims to clarify the fundamental differences between these disciplines and explain…
February 6, 2026Notaphily
Introduction: Notaphily is a specialized field of knowledge that studies banknotes as official documents issued by monetary authorities, reflecting integrated economic, sovereign, and administrative systems. This field is not limited to collecting or acquiring banknotes, but rather examines them as analytical tools for understanding the evolution of monetary systems, the building of financial trust, and political and economic transformations within countries. This discipline arose…
February 6, 2026Constitutional Charter of 1826
The Constitutional Charter of 1826 (Carta Constitucional de 1826) - February 23, 2026: The Charter that Founded the Portuguese Constitutional State. This commemorative edition documents the 1826 Constitutional Charter, a pivotal text in Portuguese political history, which established the principles of constitutional government and defined the relationship between power and civil rights. The edition does not treat the document as a rigid legal text, but rather presents it as a foundational event that directly impacted the development of the state and society. The two editions...
February 4, 2026