Monetary History
Minted 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, 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, 2026Monetary History
“Explore monetary history as a tool for understanding the development of states and sovereignty. The article deals with the stages of transition from barter to metal and paper money, and the role of central banks in shaping modern monetary systems, with a special focus on the Arab context.”
February 10, 2026