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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…

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…

10 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…

Somaliland 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…

The Golden Pound and St. George the Roman

Perhaps one of the most famous coins in the world is the English "gold sovereign," so much so that it has become proverbial, with people saying that someone's reputation is as good as a gold sovereign! But what is its story, and why does it bear the image of a saint who never visited England in his life? From a practical standpoint, there are two aspects, or rather, two stories. The first story: George (or George of Cappadocia) was born in Cappadocia (present-day Turkey), and according to one account…

Mamluk 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…

Encyclopedia 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…

The Treaty of Nanjing and the Opium War

In 1842, China was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanjing after its defeat by the British in the First Opium War. This war erupted when the Chinese government decided to ban the smuggling and trade of opium. The initial impasse arose when Western demand for luxury Chinese goods created a trade imbalance between China and Britain, and silver...

Cleopatra, 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…

Cookies 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…

The 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…

Damanhur 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…

Public 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…

Arab 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…

NGC office opens in Dubai

In a first for the Arab region, CCG, the US-based owner of NGC, a leading coin grading company, announced plans to open an office in Dubai in 2024. The Dubai office will serve as an application center, connecting to the company's headquarters in the United States, and will handle the transfer of submitted collections.

Khwarazmian Currency, a new book

New publication from the Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage: Title: Khwarazmian Coins from the Beginning of the Tahirid Dynasty to the End of the Timurid Dynasty (207-911 AH / 820-1504 AD) Author: Dr. Sharif Yahya Mahmoud Muhammad Khwarazmian Coins: This book sheds light on the study of the coins of the various states that ruled the Khwarazmian region during the research period, according to their historical chronological order, examining the coins of each state…

Currency of the Imamate of Oman

Love 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…

Ashkelon 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…

Sale of royal coins at the Egyptian Mint

On July 18, 2023, the Sales Department of the Egyptian Treasury and Mint announced the opening of a sale for some of Egypt's royal coins. It offered sets of copper and nickel coins issued during the reigns of Sultan Hussein, King Fuad I, and King Farouk I for public purchase. The coins were displayed…