Beach 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, 2026NumismaticsThe crescent moon on coins
In celebration of the holy month of Ramadan and the sighting of its blessed crescent moon, let us examine the crescent on coins issued in Egypt throughout Islamic history and before. First, we must understand that the crescent is a symbol used on various types of coins, some Islamic and many others non-Islamic. We have chosen a notable example: a Mamluk fils (coin) of Sultan al-Mansur Ala' al-Din Ali ibn...
February 19, 2026HistoryThe Beach of Sorrows (Gaza): Laughter and Tears Amidst the Rubble of History
Episode One (Beginnings): I yearn for the land of Gaza… even if my silence betrays me after our separation. May God bless a land whose soil, if I could but possess it… I would use to adorn my eyes with it, so intense is my longing. Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i. I pondered a title for a series of articles exploring the ancient history of Gaza, and I found myself choosing "The Shore of Sorrows," a title that, unfortunately, applies to both the past and the present.
February 12, 2026Ancient CoinsThe Urine Tax: The Story of Vespasian and the Strangest Tax in Roman History
Can money have a smell? Vespasian says (Pecunia non olet). In the heart of Roman history, specifically in 69 AD, one of the strangest taxes ever appeared: the urine tax! It may seem bizarre, but behind this tax lies a fascinating political and economic story, spearheaded by the Roman Emperor Vespasian, the man who uttered his famous phrase: “Pecunia non olet,“…
May 24, 2025Arabic CoinsEgyptian coins that never saw the light of day
This article explores Egyptian currency designs that were never officially issued or circulated. Discover the mysterious stories behind these currencies that never saw the light of day in Egyptian monetary history. The Sinai Pound: After the 1967 defeat, they planned to issue new currency while retaining the names of existing denominations for use in the newly annexed territories…
May 11, 2025Ancient CoinsMamluk 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, 2025MedalsThe 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...
August 13, 2024Ancient CoinsCleopatra, 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…
June 14, 2024Ancient CoinsAssassin coins
Over a year ago, I wrote an article about the coins of the Assassins, but I didn't publish it because there was one particular dinar for which I searched extensively for a clear image but couldn't find one. I could have made do with the poor-quality image I had, in addition to images of the other common dinars, but fortunately, I preferred to postpone the article until a clear image appeared. Now I remember…
March 15, 2024Ancient CoinsThe Fatimids went during Ramadan
Very few Islamic coins bear a minting date that includes the Arabic month as well as the year. If we look at the Fatimid coinage of the Fatimid state, we find a very limited number of issues inscribed with the month alongside the year. It is highly likely that these issues are linked to historical events or religious occasions, and we must attempt to deduce these events and occasions…
March 11, 2024Ancient CoinsCookies 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…
March 9, 2024Ancient CoinsAntinopolis commemorative coins
In 130 AD, the Roman Emperor Hadrian was visiting Egypt as part of a large-scale tour of the eastern parts of his empire. Naturally, Hadrian took his "favorite" page, Antoninus, with him. Fate would have it that the page drowned in the Nile River, causing the emperor great sorrow. It was then that Hadrian decided to build a city…
March 8, 2024Ancient CoinsCoins of Baybars II
Baybars al-Jashankir assumed power during the second reign of al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun after the latter left Cairo and retired to Karak. However, al-Jashankir's rule was short-lived, as he failed to gain the loyalty of the elite or even the support of the common people. The country's situation deteriorated, and dangers and threats multiplied. After approximately a year, al-Nasir Muhammad returned…
March 4, 2024Ancient CoinsThe 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…
March 3, 2024Ancient CoinsDamanhur 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…
March 3, 2024Ancient CoinsPublic 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…
March 1, 2024Ancient CoinsThe 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, 2024Ancient CoinsAshkelon 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…
November 8, 2023Ancient CoinsGaza Money Lecture
On Friday, October 27th, a lecture titled "Gaza's Currency" was held. The lecture, broadcast remotely via Zoom to the Arab Collector's Office, was presented in collaboration with engineer Mohammed Abdul Hamid. Abdul Hamid explained, "We felt it was our duty to contribute to preserving Palestinian history and heritage, and so we began preparing this lecture, in which we will delve into the history of…"
October 30, 2023Ancient CoinsCoins of Gaza City
This is Gaza City… that steadfast, ancient city that has always been a thorn in the side of invaders throughout history. Even as the invaders changed, it remained. It is also the most important city on the Palestinian coast to have begun issuing its own currency, or rather, the first to do so. This is Gaza, the city whose land continues to witness a present that is shaping history…
October 18, 2023