Ancient Coins
Who is best at grading coins?
When it comes to coin grading and appraisal, two names stand out in the industry: PCGS and NGC. While both companies are reputable and widely used by coin and numismatic collectors in general, there are differences between them that can affect the grading process, pricing, and overall experience. In this article, we will discuss…
April 9, 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, 2026The Urine Tax: The Story of Vespasian and the Strangest Tax in Roman History
Can money have a smell? Vespasian says (Pecunia non olet). In the heart of Roman history, specifically in 69 AD, one of the strangest taxes ever appeared: the urine tax! It may seem bizarre, but behind this tax lies a fascinating political and economic story, spearheaded by the Roman Emperor Vespasian, the man who uttered his famous phrase: “Pecunia non olet,“…
May 24, 2025Mamluk coinage between the deposition of the sultan and the rule of the caliph
The Abbasid caliphs in Cairo held virtually no real power. They were called Commander of the Faithful, their names were inscribed on coins in prayers from the pulpits, and everything else rested with the sultan, including the power to depose and appoint the caliphs themselves. There was only one unique case worthy of careful consideration, even though it lasted only seven months and was a product of chance and the work of…
April 18, 2025Inclusive Numismatic Diploma – Online
It is a specialized diploma under the supervision and delivery of Dr. Almoatzbellah Elshahawi entitled “Inclusive Numismatic Diploma” (Online), that delivered in English, and organized by the Arab Collector. Audience Archeologists, numismatists, conservators, historians, curators, and collectors Diploma's Objective: Highlight the significant of coins in history; Elucidate the information derived from coins across various streams…
August 13, 2024Comprehensive Developmental Science Diploma
This is a specialized diploma course, supervised and taught by Dr. Al-Mu'taz Billah Al-Shahawi, entitled "Comprehensive Numismatics Diploma," offered in both Arabic and English, and organized by the Arab Collector. Target audience: Students and researchers in archaeology and numismatics, restoration specialists, historians, museum curators, and enthusiasts. Course objectives: To learn about the history of ancient coins and the metals used in their manufacture; to learn about…
August 11, 2024Cleopatra, Queen of Kings
The coin depicts a profile of Queen Cleopatra VII. In the autumn of 34 BC, Alexandria was about to witness a grand celebration and an even greater event. Mark Antony, the Roman governor of the East, had come to Alexandria to meet his wife, Queen Cleopatra VII, and celebrate with her and their children his victories in the Armenian campaign…
June 14, 2024Assassin coins
Over a year ago, I wrote an article about the coins of the Assassins, but I didn't publish it because there was one particular dinar for which I searched extensively for a clear image but couldn't find one. I could have made do with the poor-quality image I had, in addition to images of the other common dinars, but fortunately, I preferred to postpone the article until a clear image appeared. Now I remember…
March 15, 2024The Fatimids went during Ramadan
Very few Islamic coins bear a minting date that includes the Arabic month as well as the year. If we look at the Fatimid coinage of the Fatimid state, we find a very limited number of issues inscribed with the month alongside the year. It is highly likely that these issues are linked to historical events or religious occasions, and we must attempt to deduce these events and occasions…
March 11, 2024Cookies with dinars
Were there really cakes made with dinars? The Fatimids in Cairo established a dedicated cake-making workshop called Dar al-Fitra, located next to the Great Palace opposite Bab al-Daylam – roughly the current site of the Husseiniya Square – and its purpose was to produce large quantities of cakes and sweets that were distributed to the common people and the elite a day before Eid al-Fitr…
March 9, 2024Antinopolis commemorative coins
In 130 AD, the Roman Emperor Hadrian was visiting Egypt as part of a large-scale tour of the eastern parts of his empire. Naturally, Hadrian took his "favorite" page, Antoninus, with him. Fate would have it that the page drowned in the Nile River, causing the emperor great sorrow. It was then that Hadrian decided to build a city…
March 8, 2024Coins of Baybars II
Baybars al-Jashankir assumed power during the second reign of al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun after the latter left Cairo and retired to Karak. However, al-Jashankir's rule was short-lived, as he failed to gain the loyalty of the elite or even the support of the common people. The country's situation deteriorated, and dangers and threats multiplied. After approximately a year, al-Nasir Muhammad returned…
March 4, 2024The gold coinage of Babylon
After Alexander captured the Achaemenid treasuries in Persepolis, Susa, and Pasargadae, he melted down their gold and silver and minted enormous quantities of gold and silver coins—especially silver—in Babylon, using the Macedonian style and the Attic standard to pay soldiers and distribute spoils among senior army commanders. Here we present a sample of the gold coinage minted in…
March 3, 2024Damanhur Silver Treasure
Near the town of Damanhur, the capital of the Beheira Governorate, a small number of residents discovered a substantial hoard of silver coins in 1905. More than 8,000 silver coins of the "Tetradach" type were unearthed, most of them minted during the lifetime of Alexander the Great in the various cities he conquered throughout his historic campaign in the East. Unfortunately, the available information about…
March 3, 2024Public toilet tax
During the year 69 AD, the Roman general Vespasian was besieging Jerusalem to suppress a rebellion when he decided to entrust the siege to his son Titus so that he could go to Alexandria and from there to Rome to claim the contested imperial throne. In Alexandria, he received news of the defeat of his rival Vitellius and that the Senate had recognized him as emperor, and…
March 1, 2024The first Abbasid currency issue in Egypt
The mint of Egypt (Fustat) in the year 133 AH marked the final chapter in the history of the Umayyad Caliphate with the killing of its last caliph, Marwan ibn Muhammad, at the hands of the Abbasids in the village of Zawiyat al-Maslub, in the Wasita district of Beni Suef Governorate. A few months later, a new bronze coin bearing the name of… was minted in Fustat.
March 1, 2024Love Dirham
From the stories of coins: The Love Dirham! Perhaps one of the most beautiful Islamic coins in terms of design, its exquisite design is surpassed only by the even more beautiful love story it tells! The coin known as the "Lion and Sun Dirham" or "Love Dirham" was minted and circulated in the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. It differs from most Islamic coins that have reached us, as it does not bear a decorative design…
November 13, 2023Ashkelon coins through the ages
This article will examine examples of coins minted in Ashkelon throughout the ages: Philistine, Hellenistic, Roman, and Islamic. Ashkelon is one of the largest and oldest cities in Palestine on the Mediterranean coast. It is located 65 km west of Jerusalem. The Canaanites founded the city in the third millennium BC. 1- Philistine: Here we present a coin minted in Ashkelon during…
November 8, 2023Gaza Money Lecture
On Friday, October 27th, a lecture titled "Gaza's Currency" was held. The lecture, broadcast remotely via Zoom to the Arab Collector's Office, was presented in collaboration with engineer Mohammed Abdul Hamid. Abdul Hamid explained, "We felt it was our duty to contribute to preserving Palestinian history and heritage, and so we began preparing this lecture, in which we will delve into the history of…"
October 30, 2023Coins of Gaza City
This is Gaza City… that steadfast, ancient city that has always been a thorn in the side of invaders throughout history. Even as the invaders changed, it remained. It is also the most important city on the Palestinian coast to have begun issuing its own currency, or rather, the first to do so. This is Gaza, the city whose land continues to witness a present that is shaping history…
October 18, 2023