Numismatics
The Arab collector…a decade of excellence and creativity
In March 2016, a simple idea was born in the minds of two dedicated collectors from the Arab community in Australia: to provide Arab collectors with a reliable source of knowledge, a recognized scientific reference, and a platform that would unite their diverse interests, from rare coins to historical stamps. Today, after ten remarkable years, we celebrate in our twenty-third issue an exceptional journey during which…
August 8, 2026Research and Collectible Books | ACADIA Global Scholars Distribution Initiative
Research and books on collectibles are the backbone of any reputable historical collection; they are the product of a scientific methodology developed by a researcher or author who has dedicated years to documentation and analysis. Whether you are an academic researcher seeking to document heritage, or a serious collector looking for references to enhance your collection, well-documented research and books on collectibles are the only guarantee of the authenticity and value of historical artifacts. Today, the Arab Collector website announces…
April 18, 2026Who 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, 2026Encyclopedia 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, 202610 tips for selling old coins
Do you have old coins that you no longer need or want? Perhaps you inherited them from a relative or found them. You might be wondering how to sell old coins, whatever your reason for owning them. Selling old coins can be an exciting and profitable endeavor for numismatists and those interested in the study and collection of coins and currency. Old coins can be valuable due to their rarity…
March 25, 2026Launch of the Junior Collector's Lab
Introduction: Is your child looking for an adventure through time? Have you ever imagined that the coin in your child's hand could be a lesson in history, geography, and economics? We at the Arab Collector Platform are pleased to announce the launch of the Little Collector Lab, the world's first fully interactive portal in Arabic dedicated to developing the skills of budding collectors. What is the Little Collector Lab…
March 19, 2026Minted in Cairo: Documenting the history of Cairo through coins
Can a small coin encapsulate the history of an entire empire? In his new book, "Mined in Cairo," published by Dar Al-Maaref, researcher Mohamed Abdel Hamid takes us on a research journey to prove that coins were not merely a means of purchase, but rather a "news ticker" documenting the events of Cairo since the early Islamic era. The book, "Mined in Cairo: Coins and History," by researcher Mohamed Abdel Hamid…
March 8, 2026Numismatics for Beginners: Start Collecting Coins with Confidence
If you've ever held an old coin and felt it was different—a little heavier, an unusual color, or bearing an unfamiliar date—you've already taken your first steps into the world of numismatics without even realizing it. Numismatics, simply put, is the study of coins (and sometimes banknotes and medals) in terms of their history, minting, rarity, condition, and all the subtle details that make them unique.
March 7, 2026Tabora gold, the German currency minted in the jungles of Africa
In the late 19th century, Germany aggressively pursued its ambitions to rival the major colonial powers, seeking to secure raw materials and resources to fuel its burgeoning industry. To this end, it extended its influence over the Great Lakes region of East Africa (which today includes Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and parts of Mozambique), sometimes under the guise of humanitarian concerns such as combating the slave trade, and at other times under the pretext of economic interests.
March 3, 2026The coin of the assassination of Julius Caesar
On March 15, 44 BC, Rome was shaken to its core by an event that changed the course of human history: the death of Julius Caesar. This brilliant military leader, born in 100 BC, who extended Rome's influence from Gaul to Britain, could not have foreseen that his greatest victories would lead to his dramatic end. His ambition led to his assassination after his triumph over…
March 3, 2026Beach of Sorrows: In the Time of the Hyksos
Episode Two (During the Hyksos Period) “And then Sharuhen was besieged for three years, then His Majesty plundered it.” Ahmose son of Ibana. The Hyksos: Origin and Political Identity. As we saw in the first episode of Shore of Sorrows about the history of Gaza during the Early Bronze Age, today we move to the Middle Bronze Age, but first we must take a look at the dramatic events that took place before…
February 26, 2026Russian platinum coins
The discovery of platinum in Siberia: Platinum was discovered in Siberia, in Tsarist Russia, in 1819, and economically viable quantities were found in 1824. Newly developed mining methods enabled Russia to obtain large quantities, making it one of the world's largest exporters and prompting Russian monetary authorities to consider using platinum in minting coins. Why…
February 21, 2026The Gold Chervonets: The Story of a Peasant Currency Rejected by the World
The birth of the gold shervontz amidst chaos: As is our custom, we try to connect the present with the past and currencies with history. On the occasion of May Day, International Workers' Day, we will tell you a story linked to workers and peasants in one way or another: the story of the Soviet Union's gold shervontz. The shervontz first appeared as currency for Soviet Russia in 1922 amidst the economic chaos that gripped the country at the time.
February 21, 2026Siege money: When palace ingots become soldiers' currency
Siege money, also known as "necessity money," is an interesting aspect of monetary history. These coins were issued during times of war or invasion, particularly when a city or town was under siege. The need for such money arose from the disruption of monetary circulation during wartime, leading to a scarcity of coins in circulation.
February 21, 2026Sale of the Danish West Indies
In a previous post, we posed a question about a currency from the Danish West Indies and its connection to Greenland and the United States. In today's post, we'll recount an interesting chapter of history—a chapter that will help us better understand the present and Trump's claims to annex Greenland, which is under Danish control. Let's begin with the West Indies... The West Indies: An Economic Resource…
February 20, 2026Egyptian 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, 2026