All Articles
A complete archive of everything published on The Arab Collector, from special features to short reference reads.
The history of Egyptian scouting and postage stamps
The Egyptian Scout Movement is one of the oldest Arab scouting movements, having originated in Egypt in 1914 and been registered with the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922 (1). The Girl Guides Movement originated in Egypt in 1925 and was registered internationally in 1930. The Girl Guides have membership in four central associations: Boys, Sea, Air, and Guides. Each of these associations has branches in every governorate. …
February 24, 2023Sultan Fuad's 1920 Riyal: Between Fact and Fiction
What is the truth about the Sultan Fuad riyal? Why is it considered one of the rarest Egyptian currencies, if not the rarest of all? And how possible is it to acquire this riyal? Despite the scarcity of historical sources about this issue and the mystery surrounding that period, to answer these questions we must travel back more than a hundred years in an attempt…
February 22, 2023Postage stamps featuring Charles III, April 4th
A stamp bearing the image of King Charles III will be released next April. The British postal service, Royal Mail, announced the launch of new postage stamps featuring Charles III, who became king after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, 2022. The postal service stated that the stamps will go on sale on April 4, having been approved…
February 10, 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, 2023A commemorative stamp for the Louvre Abu Dhabi
A commemorative stamp highlighting the cultural significance of the Louvre Abu Dhabi: Emirates Post Group and the Louvre Abu Dhabi collaborated to create a commemorative stamp celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates. It demonstrates that the UAE is a melting pot of human cultures and civilizations, and a wonderful place for artists, museums, and cultural institutions to flourish. The new stamps were part of the Group’s strategy…
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, 2023Jeddah International Currency Exhibition – Fourth Edition
The fourth edition of the Jeddah International Coin Exhibition: Special coverage of the fourth edition of the Jeddah International Coin Exhibition by Mr. Hatem Al-Attar and Mr. Mubarak Al-Qahtani. The fourth edition of the Jeddah International Coin Exhibition, organized by the Saudi Numismatic Society under the theme and slogan "The Journey of the Kings of Al Saud," commenced on January 25, 2023.
January 30, 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, 2023Oman Postal Stamp Book 2022
The National Records and Archives Authority has published a book on Omani postage stamps. The 326-page book provides evidence of Omani stamps from 1944 to the present day. It covers the history of stamps in Oman, from the time they were inscribed with British currency to the declaration of postal independence in 1966. Each stamp issue is accompanied by information about…
January 19, 2023Chinese space station, coins and stamps
Commemorative coins for the Chinese space station: The Chinese space station is now in orbit around Earth, and the People's Bank of China has issued new gold and silver coins to celebrate this achievement. The space station contains two scientific laboratories and was completed last year. According to the website Space.com, the commemorative gold coin weighs 0.1 ounces (3 grams) and features…
January 16, 2023Arabization of Islamic currency
The Arabization of Islamic coinage went through several gradual stages. Changing the circulating currency was not an easy task, and the internal conflicts within the Caliphate greatly hindered the process. When Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan was proclaimed Caliph in Damascus, he did not effectively control most of the Caliphate's territories, and years passed before he was able to…
January 6, 2023Cleopatra VII Coins: Correcting the Timeline and Geographical Space
Al-Muqtani Al-Arabi magazine announces a cultural lecture titled “Cleopatra VII Coins – Correcting the Timeline and Geographical Space” via Zoom, in collaboration with Engineer Mohamed Abdel Hamid, an Egyptian engineer and independent researcher in numismatic history. The lecture will take place on Friday, January 13, 2023, and participants will receive an electronic certificate from Al-Muqtani Al-Arabi magazine. Queen Cleopatra…
January 2, 2023Ancient coinage techniques and minting errors
The Arab Collector's Magazine announces a symposium entitled "Ancient Coinage Techniques and Resulting Minting Errors Throughout the Ages," to be held via Zoom in collaboration with Dr. Al-Mu'taz Billah Al-Saeed Al-Shahawi, an antiquities restoration specialist at the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and a researcher at the American Research Center. The symposium will take place on December 30th and 31st, 2022, and participants will receive an electronic certificate from the magazine.
December 21, 2022Banknotes 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, 2022A coin bearing the symbol of people with disabilities
During its weekly meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, the Egyptian Cabinet approved several decisions, including the issuance of a circulating one-pound coin bearing the slogan "People with Disabilities." This coin will help support the rights of people with disabilities and promote equality between people with and without disabilities. [The coin...]
December 14, 2022Cleopatra III
Cleopatra III was a difficult woman even by the standards of the Ptolemaic queens, who were known for their strength, thirst for power, and willingness to commit despicable acts in order to dominate. She was the woman who rebelled against her mother, plotted to remove her eldest son, and installed the youngest in his place to make him easier to control. This youngest then killed her…
December 10, 2022The Arab National Exhibition in Jerusalem
If an Arab tourist were to tour the Arab countries, diligently studying the economic conditions, traversing every tangible architectural landscape, and observing the evolution of minds and spirits, he would not be able to arrive at a comprehensive and all-encompassing picture like this magnificent, diverse, and multifaceted one known as the "First Arab Exhibition" in Jerusalem today. This is an excerpt from the opening words of a special report in the magazine…
December 7, 2022