Modern Coins

B. Max Mehl, the doyen of currency traders in the United States in the first half of the 20th century

In July 1906, a local Texas newspaper published a small advertisement announcing that B. Max Mehl was retiring from his shoe repair business and would devote himself entirely to the coin trade due to his recent success. The ad urged Texans to find a new shoemaker! Thus began Mehl's serious journey with coins… Benjamin Max Mehl was born in Lithuania (when it was…

Arabic calligraphy in Palestinian criticism

In December 1927, Professor Abdul Qader Al-Shihabi, the calligrapher of the Palestinian government at the time, sent a letter of protest to the Palestinian government regarding the poor state of Arabic calligraphy in Palestinian currency. In his letter, Mr. Abdul Qader Effendi explained that, as a duty incumbent upon him towards Arabic calligraphy, he felt compelled to express his opinion on it, drawing upon his own experience with the art. He stated that his view…

The small change crisis in Egypt in 1941

With the escalating tensions of World War II, and beginning in the second quarter of 1941, nickel became scarce globally, making it difficult to procure for coinage due to its use in weapons manufacturing. Priority in supplying the metal shifted to war factories rather than mints, and the price of nickel ore skyrocketed, transforming the metal into a strategic commodity in high demand…

ANA eLearning Academy – Grading 101 in Arabic

The historical development of the Saudi currency – Part One

Before 1902, the Arabian Peninsula experienced difficult economic conditions that transformed most of its societies into nomadic tribes, relying primarily on barter and a chaotic monetary system. Various currencies were used, such as the French riyal, the Ottoman riyal, the British gold pound, the Indian rupee, and the Egyptian piastres, among others. This situation persisted until King Abdulaziz entered Riyadh in 1902.

Virtual Museum of Criticism

A free virtual museum documenting images and information about coins from Arab countries throughout different eras. It contains documents, excerpts from official newspapers and magazines, and other documentary materials. The museum project is still in its experimental phase, and we have begun designing the first museum dedicated to Palestinian coins from the British Mandate period, hoping to design similar museums for other Arab countries. We are heading towards…

New coins issued in denominations of 50 baisa, 25 baisa, 10 baisa and 5 baisa

The Central Bank of Oman is pleased to announce the issuance of a new series of coins in denominations of 50, 25, 10, and 5 baisa, which will enter circulation next month. The Central Bank of Oman has also issued a commemorative coin set that will be available for purchase for one Omani Rial…

Central Bank of Oman

The Central Bank of Oman announced the issuance of a new series of coins in denominations of 50, 25, 10, and 5 baisa, which will enter circulation starting next month. The Central Bank of Oman also issued a commemorative coin set, available for purchase for one Omani rial, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19, 2020. The obverse of the coins features…

Rare Islamic coins

This coin, belonging to the Abbasid Caliph al-Mutawakkil, bears the inscription on its obverse: "In the name of God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God, al-Mutawakkil." On the reverse is the date: "Year 241 AH." The obverse depicts a man (possibly the Caliph himself), while the reverse shows a soldier holding a camel. The coin weighs 4.24 grams of silver, and the reason for its minting is unknown. It is a unique piece.

The third issue of the Moroccan Journal of Stamps and Coins

The third issue of the Moroccan Journal of Stamps and Coins for August 2020, published by the Rabat Philatelic and Numismatic Association, has arrived in the magazine's mailbox. The journal is published electronically, and subsequent issues can be downloaded from the association's website at the following link: https://apn-rabat.org/bulletins/ Many thanks to the association and to Mr. Abdelkader Lamrahi, its president.

Principles of modern coin valuation

The Arab Collector's Magazine is pleased to announce a strong new collaboration aimed at serving the Arab collector. Following the success of the American Numismatic Society lectures broadcast over the past few weeks, your esteemed magazine wishes to present some of these lectures to its followers in Arabic. Mr. Muhib Rizqallah has recently completed the first of these lectures on "Principles of Coin Appraisal…"

Silver coin for Expo 2020

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates issued new, high-quality silver coins to commemorate the emirate's hosting of Expo 2020 in its capital, Dubai. Originally scheduled to open on October 20, 2020, and end on April 10, 2021, the World Expo has now been rescheduled. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the dates have been postponed.

Jerusalem Redemption Dinar

Rare Islamic Coins: The Jerusalem Reconquest Dinar; The Battle of Hattin: A decisive battle between the Crusaders and the Muslims, led by Saladin, took place on Saturday, 25 Rabi' al-Thani 583 AH (July 4, 1187 CE) near the village of Majdal, between Nazareth and Tiberias. The Muslims were victorious. The Crusaders' defeat at the Battle of Hattin was catastrophic, as they lost the flower of their knights, and large numbers were killed…

Maintenance and preservation of ancient silver coins

A general invitation is extended to researchers and those interested in the study of ancient silver coins to attend a seminar entitled "Conservation and Preservation of Ancient Silver Coins" via the Zoom platform. This seminar is sponsored by Al-Muqtana Al-Arabi Magazine and presented by: Al-Mu'taz Billah Al-Saeed Al-Shahawi – Member of the American Numismatic Society, Researcher at the Paul Getty Institute of Archaeology, and Antiquities Restoration Specialist at the Grand Egyptian Museum. The seminar will be held remotely, God willing, via the platform…

Chinese Opium War Medals

The issuance of coins and medals is usually associated with a significant and glorious event in a nation's history, but sometimes a piece can commemorate a bad memory, and this is exactly the case with the "Chinese Opium War Medals." Britain controlled most of Asia and the world in the 18th century, but the empire fell in love with attractive Asian products, especially Chinese silk and tea leaves…

An excellent opportunity to learn about coins and banknotes in an academic manner.

An excellent opportunity to learn about coins and banknotes academically: The American Numismatic Association holds a summer seminar every year, inviting the world's leading numismatic experts to give intensive courses on various topics related to coin collecting and trading. However, due to the current spread of the coronavirus, the 2020 summer seminar has been canceled, and short lectures will be held instead…

Napoleon III, a strange person and an even stranger life!

He was the nephew of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte the Great. After his uncle's death, he lived as an exile and fugitive in several European countries. After several failed coup attempts, he finally returned to his homeland when news of the 1848 revolution reached him. Thanks to his family history and name, he was able to be elected as the first president of the Second French Republic. However, the new constitution would not have allowed…

Commemorating the COVID-19 pandemic

Four coins were recently issued by the African nation of Chad, marking its first legal tender specifically to commemorate the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-ounce silver coins are currently in production and will be available for delivery in July. The 5,000-franc coins are crafted from .999 silver with a black finish, where they were colored…

century of abundance

Ancient Greek mythology tells that the god Zeus was born to a man named Cronus. Cronus apparently had a penchant for devouring infants, so as soon as Zeus was born, he was hidden in a cave on the island of Crete. The little boy grew up safe from his evil father, cared for by mythical creatures, including a goat—also mythical, of course—which gave him…

Continuation of the Percy Metcalfe topic by Professor Moheb Rizkallah

Continuing from a previous post in the following link: 6 Degrees of Divergence: Results of the 1927 Irish Currency Design Competition. In 1922, Ireland gained its independence from Britain, and one of the things considered essential for the new nation was its own currency. On April 13, 1926, the country's Currency Act was passed, stipulating coins, bullion, and metal weights. But this…