Egypt 1956 5 piastres
In 1953 the monarchy was ousted by a junta of army officers and the first republic established. After the initial euphoria, the junta, its support waning, decided to participate in the Arab attack on Israel of 1956. This resulted in ignominious defeat and only American intervention saved the regime. In 1958 Egypt, under Gamal Nasser, joined in a formal alliance with Syria. Thus, from 1958-1971, Egypt became officially the 'United Arab Republic'. The alliance with Syria did not last long, and the title was abandoned in 1971 during a purge of the Egyptian political system by Anwar Sadat. This specimen was lot 3735 in Stephen Album sale 39 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $96. The catalog description[1] noted, "EGYPT: Republic, AR 5 piastres, 1956/AH1375, small sphinx with outlined base, PCGS graded MS65." This type was struck 1956-57. The sphinx was also featured on ten piastres and ten, five and one milliemes of the fifties.
Recorded Mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: 3.50 g, 0.720 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-382.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 39, featuring the John Sylvester, Jr., Collection of Annamese Medals and Orders, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.
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