Arabic Paper Money
Encyclopedia and Catalog of Egyptian Money
The Encyclopedia and Catalog of Egyptian Currencies is a comprehensive series of books documenting Egyptian coins and banknotes. It was published by Engineer Magdi Hanafi to compile information on modern Egyptian currency, both metal and paper, and is considered the largest specialized scientific encyclopedia on the subject of Egyptian currency. Engineer Magdi has managed to write, in precise chronological order, everything related to the currencies…
April 9, 2026Somaliland shilling… a false sovereignty
Throughout history, currencies have not merely been tools to facilitate trade; they have always been among the most visible and influential symbols of political sovereignty. From ancient empires to modern nation-states, authorities have used currency as a means of proclaiming their political presence and solidifying national identity. The image of the ruler, the name of the state, the language used, religious or national symbols, and even the choice of colors and designs are all elements that carry…
January 9, 2026Amateur Encyclopedia of Banknotes – Kings and Leaders
A unique documentation of the history of leaders and kings through banknotes: Lebanese researcher and collector Wissam Youssef, holder of the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of banknotes in the world, has published a bilingual (Arabic and English) encyclopedia entitled: “The Amateur Encyclopedia of Banknotes – Kings and Leaders.” This encyclopedic work spans 400 pages and provides comprehensive documentation of banknotes that bore the images of…
July 23, 2025The Palestinian pound in Cyprus in 1942: The story of a currency that crossed the sea
In 1942, during World War II, Cyprus experienced a unique monetary event: the adoption of the Palestinian pound as temporary legal tender. This decision stemmed from a liquidity crisis facing the island, prompting the British authorities to take the unusual step of extending the use of another colony's currency. Historically, the Palestinian pound was the official currency in…
June 11, 2025Launch of the Encyclopedia of Qatari Currencies at the Doha International Book Fair
The Doha International Book Fair witnessed the launch of a groundbreaking encyclopedia, the first of its kind in the field of documenting Qatari banknotes. Engineer Khalid Mohammed Jolo unveiled his comprehensive work, "Encyclopedia of Qatari Currencies," a unique resource for coin collectors and those interested in the history of currency in Qatar. The encyclopedia, spanning over 550 pages, highlights…
May 17, 2025Egyptian coins that never saw the light of day
This article explores Egyptian currency designs that were never officially issued or circulated. Discover the mysterious stories behind these currencies that never saw the light of day in Egyptian monetary history. The Sinai Pound: After the 1967 defeat, they planned to issue new currency while retaining the names of existing denominations for use in the newly annexed territories…
May 11, 2025Ibrahim Salem Banknote Collection
Engineer Ibrahim Salem's collection of banknotes continues to amaze collectors worldwide. Salem specializes in acquiring and acquiring the rarest and most important banknotes globally, and particularly within the Arab world. Heritage Auctions in Dallas is preparing to offer a new batch from Salem's renowned collection…
October 14, 2024Encyclopedia of Egyptian Currencies and New Dimensions in Currency Valuation
In a significant step that enhances the credibility of coin grading, the Encyclopedia of Egyptian Coins by Engineer Magdy Hanafy was recently recognized by the global grading companies PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and PMG (Paper Money Guaranty®). This recognition underscores the encyclopedia's important role in the world of coins and strengthens the confidence of enthusiasts and investors in the valuations it provides. The Encyclopedia of Egyptian Coins…
August 29, 2024Arab amateurs win banknote prizes
In January 2024, the American company BMG announced the results of its global banknote collection competition, which revealed that a number of Arab collectors and Arab collections in general achieved honorable results and top rankings worldwide, including the award for best banknote collection among all currency collections…
February 1, 2024Anwar Sadat and his hobby of stamps and coins
President or Hobbyist? Anwar Sadat, the third president of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the commander in the 1973 war, became known for his passion for collecting stamps and coins. When someone mentions stamp and coin collecting among Egyptian rulers, the names of King Farouk or King Fuad's mother immediately come to mind. However, there was another hobbyist...
May 9, 2023Arab currencies in the Spink auction, April 2023
A diverse collection of Arab and foreign currencies was offered at the Spink Auction held in Hong Kong on April 13, 2023, in auction number 23008, attracting numerous banknote collectors from around the world. The Arab currencies in particular garnered significant attention, with a variety of coins from each region being offered…
April 24, 2023The idea of issuing a 500 pound banknote
Did you know that the Egyptian government considered issuing a 500-pound banknote a long time ago but changed its mind due to rumors about the economy? The idea for a new banknote dates back to 2004 when engineer Magdi Hanafi, a historian of Egyptian currency, met with the then-governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Farouk El-Okda, during an event honoring him at the bank…
April 23, 2023High Security Banknotes Award 2022
The Qatar Central Bank and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates received the regional High Security Banknote Awards and the ID Card of the Year award at the High Security Print EMEA event held in Abu Dhabi on March 8, 2023. Their new banknote designs were praised for their modern aesthetics and security features.
March 26, 2023The new issue of the fifty Jordanian dinar note
The Central Bank of Jordan has introduced a new 50-dinar banknote into circulation alongside the existing banknote from the fourth series. This new banknote features a different design and will be more familiar to consumers. Based on the Jordanian Banknotes Issuance Regulation No. 55 of 2022, published in the Official Gazette on October 2, 2022, and following the statement…
February 9, 2023Lebanese Treasury Bonds Book
On January 31, 2023, Mr. Wissam Lahham and Mr. Ali Shour announced the release of a book entitled “Lebanese Treasury Bonds.” This book tells the story of how the Lebanese government raised funds by selling bonds. The bonds known as “treasury bonds” date back to ancient times, when rulers borrowed money from bankers to help finance their governments. They were known…
February 8, 2023Palestinian banknotes and negative templates
How to print banknotes: Printing banknotes involves complex and precise steps. This process is attributed to skilled engineers and craftsmen who operate large printing presses for long and arduous hours to print paper money in large bundles. These bundles are then cut using a special machine similar to a guillotine and distributed to banks. Special papers made of cotton or polymer and special inks are used…
February 3, 2023History of polymer banknotes in Arab countries
History and Advantages of Polymer Banknotes: Australia was the first country to print banknotes made of polymer, or what has become known in the media as "plastic banknotes," in early 1988, when it began printing 5, 10, and 20 Australian dollar denominations. Among the advantages of polymer banknotes is their durability and significantly longer lifespan compared to paper money; they can…
January 29, 2023Qatari banknotes break records
Some Qatari banknotes broke records at a recent auction held by Spink International Auction House at its New York office on January 14, 2023. The auction featured an unparalleled collection of samples and models of Qatari banknotes dating back to 1979. These banknote samples and models consisted of multiple images of each…
January 23, 2023Printing of new Somali currency notes will begin soon.
The Central Bank of Somalia is preparing to change the Somali currency, specifically the shilling (SH) banknotes, for the first time in decades. This move follows hyperinflation that has crippled the country's economy since the collapse of the central government. In this new development, the 1000 SH banknotes, first issued in 1991, will be replaced with new ones…
January 19, 2023Lolar…the currency of the deeds
The "Lollar" instead of the "Dollar" in Lebanon: a fake currency in protest against the deteriorating economic situation. Two days before the parliamentary elections, the "Lebanese Association for Transparency - No Corruption" launched a campaign urging citizens to use fake banknotes called "Lollar" on May 5, 2022, during a media event attended by representatives of organizations, associations, and print and broadcast media...
August 15, 2022