Egypt 1932 500 piastres
The Kingdom of Egypt was established in 1922, with Fuad I as the first ruler. He had previously been sultan (1917-1922) when Egypt was a British protectorate. During his reign, Egyptian coinage was changed significantly from previous issues, with the portrait of the leader decorating the obverse. Previously, no human portraits appeared on coins.
The coin pictured is a gold 500 piastres. The portrait of Fuad I is on the obverse, with the year reverse (both Hijra and Gregorian dates shown), denomination, and 'Kingdom of Egypt' written in Arabic. Date is 1932 AD - AH 1351. This specimen was lot 23792 in Heritage Auction 3014 (New York, January, 2011), where it sold for $8,625. The catalog description reads: "Fuad I gold 500 Piastres AH1351//1932, Proof 63 NGC, lightly toned, virtually pristine surfaces. An impressive, large gold type."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 42.50 g, 0.875 fine gold, 1.1957oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 355, Fr-106 (formerly Fr-31).
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Link to: