بنكنوت
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, 2026Mamluk 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, 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, 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, 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, 2024The hobby of kings and presidents
What are the hobbies of kings and presidents? And why are they called that? Most of us know that King Farouk was one of the world's greatest stamp collectors, but perhaps not all of us know that US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was also a huge fan. This may have been one of the reasons for the friendship that developed between the two men, unlike the relationship that existed between…
November 24, 2023Anwar 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, 2023Banknotes of King Charles III
Banknotes bearing the image of King Charles III: Charles III has become the second British monarch to appear on banknotes. The Bank of England announced that his image will be featured on the new banknote. Charles III is pictured here from an original photograph provided by Buckingham Palace in 2013 and updated over time. The five-pound note features the image of King Charles III, according to the Daily Mail…
December 20, 2022Lolar…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, 2022Security features of the first Egyptian polymer banknote
Learn about the security features used by the Central Bank of Egypt on the first Egyptian polymer banknote, the new ten-pound note, and the latest security measures employed. This article is sponsored by both the Egyptian Banknote Prefix Report and the Egyptian Encyclopedia of Banknotes. The Central Bank of Egypt decided to issue the first Egyptian polymer banknote, the ten-pound plastic (polymer) note, according to the statement issued…
July 5, 2022