Egyptian 1 Pound Bimetallic Curricular Coin
Coin/Bullion · The Egyptian Mint Authority (Ministry of Finance), founded in 1950 in Cairo. It is the governmental body responsible for striking all denominations of Egyptian coinage.
Pattern: Standard Circulation Bimetallic 1 Pound; Tutankhamun Mask Reverse
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
The Egyptian Mint Authority (Ministry of Finance), founded in 1950 in Cairo. It is the governmental body responsible for striking all denominations of Egyptian coinage.
Material
Non-Precious Bimetallic Composition. The center disc is Cupronickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). The outer ring is Brass (75% Copper, 20% Zinc, 5% Nickel). There is no silver or gold content in this specimen despite its appearance.
Dimensions
Diameter: 25.0 mm; Thickness: 2.6 mm; Weight: Approx. 8.5 grams. This is standard for modern Egyptian bimetallic currency.
Description
A striking modern circulation coin from the Arab Republic of Egypt. While its gold-and-silver appearance suggests precious metal, it is a functional bimetallic piece of currency. The central nickel-colored disc provides a high-contrast backdrop for the numeral 1, surrounded by a lustrous brass ring that denotes the state's official title. It serves as a miniature piece of cultural heritage, bridging thousands of years of history.
Key Features
Bimetallic design, clear Arabic and Western denomination, 2018 date stamp, and the use of 'base' metals (Cupronickel/Brass) rather than troy ounce markings.
Material & Composition
Non-Precious Bimetallic Composition. The center disc is Cupronickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). The outer ring is Brass (75% Copper, 20% Zinc, 5% Nickel). There is no silver or gold content in this specimen despite its appearance.
Finish & Decoration
Machine-struck circulation finish. The obverse features the denomination '1' in Western and Arabic numerals. The outer ring displays geometric Islamic patterns and the country name 'Arab Republic of Egypt' in Arabic. The reverse (not fully visible but implied by the series) typically depicts the funerary mask of Tutankhamun.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Contains no silver hallmarks. It features Arabic numerals for the denomination and date. The Hijri year 1439 and Gregorian year 2018 are stamped on the outer ring.
Construction Details
Bimetallic construction consisting of a separate center slug and outer ring that are joined together during the striking process through intense pressure (mechanical bonding).
Functional Features
Serrate (reeded) edges for touch identification and to prevent counterfeiting/clipping. Intended as legal tender for medium-value transactions in Egypt.
Handle & Grip Details
None (Circular coin edge). The reeded edge provides a physical grip for manual handling.
Craftsmanship Details
High-speed industrial minting. The alignment of the collar and the strike indicates standard quality control for modern state-run mints.
Authentication Indicators
Correct bimetallic seam, crisp machine striking, accurate Arabic calligraphy, and standard 2018 production date common for Egyptian circulation.
Origin & Manufacturing
Egypt; struck at the Mint Authority in Cairo. This reflects the 20th-century movement toward bimetallic currency popularized by the Euro and UK Pound.
Era & Period
Modern / 21st Century Egyptian Republic. This specific design language reflects the blending of Ancient Egyptian heritage (Tutankhamun) with Islamic art and modern bimetallic technology.
Age Estimate
Issued 2018. The date is explicitly stamped on the bottom of the outer ring as '2018'.
Cultural Significance
Represents the modern Egyptian economy and its move toward durable, Western-style coinage while maintaining strong ties to nationalist symbols like King Tutankhamun.
Condition Notes
Very Good (Circulated). Visible surface micro-scratches, slight tarnish on the brass ring, and loss of original mint luster. No signs of major denting or edge clipping.
Value Estimate
Face value: 1 Egyptian Pound (Approx. $0.02 - $0.05 USD). Collector value for a 2018 specimen in this condition is negligible, typically appearing in 'bulk world coin' bins.
Care & Maintenance
No specialized silver care required as this is not silver. Avoid acidic cleaners; light soap and water can remove oils, but coins should generally not be cleaned to preserve numismatic value.
Similar Pieces
Mexican 10 Peso (Bimetallic), Euro 1 and 2 Euro coins, and the British 2 Pound coin. All share the 'silver' and 'gold' color combination using base alloys.
Interesting Facts
The 1 Pound coin replaced the widely recognized 1 Pound paper banknote for general circulation to reduce the costs associated with wear and tear on paper currency in Egypt's arid climate.