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- Spot Silver Price: $30.09
Silver coins were in regular circulation in Egypt. The values below represent the intrinsic value of silver coins from Egypt.
Egypt silver coins that are in uncirculated condition, or that may be rare and collectible may also have numismatic value. You can use this table as a guide when buying and selling circulated silver coins from Egypt.
The melt values are calculated and displayed in USD based on the today's silver spot price of $30.09 per troy ounce.
| Denomination / Currency | Years Minted | Fineness | Gross Weight (g) | ASW (g) | ASW (oz t) | Melt Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Qirsh | 1916- 1942 | .833 | 2.8 | 2.33 | .075 | $2.26 |
| 2 Qirsh | 1944 | .500 | 2.8 | 1.40 | .045 | $1.35 |
| 5 Qirsh | 1916- 1939 | .833 | 7 | 5.83 | .1875 | $5.64 |
| 5 Qirsh | 1956- 1966 | .720 | 3.5 | 2.52 | .081 | $2.44 |
| 10 Qirsh | 1916- 1939 | .833 | 14 | 11.66 | .3749 | $11.28 |
| 10 Qirsh | 1955- 1957 | .625 | 7 | 4.38 | .1407 | $4.23 |
| 10 Qirsh | 1959- 1966 | .720 | 7 | 5.04 | .162 | $4.87 |
| 20 Qirsh | 1916- 1939 | .833 | 28 | 23.32 | .7499 | $22.56 |
| 20 Qirsh | 1956- 1966 | .720 | 14 | 10.08 | .3241 | $9.75 |
| 25 Qirsh | 1956- 1961 | .720 | 17.5 | 12.60 | .4051 | $12.19 |
| 25 Qirsh | 1964 | .720 | 10 | 7.20 | .2315 | $6.97 |
| 25 Qirsh | 1970 | .720 | 6 | 4.32 | .1389 | $4.18 |
| 50 Qirsh | 1956 | .900 | 28 | 25.20 | .8102 | $24.38 |
| 50 Qirsh | 1964- 1970 | .720 | 12.5 | 9.00 | .2894 | $8.71 |
| 1 Pound | 1968- 1970 | .720 | 25 | 18.00 | .5787 | $17.41 |
In ancient Egypt, the primary medium of exchange was not coinage but rather a barter system supplemented by items like grain, cattle, and metal weights. Gold and silver were valued and used for trade, but coins as standardized currency were not yet in use.
The introduction of coinage in Egypt began during the Hellenistic period, particularly after the conquest of Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. The Ptolemaic Dynasty (323-30 BCE), founded by one of Alexander's generals, Ptolemy I, issued silver coins. These coins often featured the portrait of the ruling monarch on the obverse and various deities or symbols on the reverse.
One of the most common silver coins during the Ptolemaic period was the tetradrachm. These coins were used extensively in trade and had significant influence in the Mediterranean world.
After the defeat of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony in 30 BCE, Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire. Roman coinage was introduced, including silver denarii, which were widely circulated throughout the empire.
Following the division of the Roman Empire, Egypt came under Byzantine control. Byzantine coinage, including silver coins like the miliarense, circulated in Egypt. These coins often depicted the Byzantine emperor and Christian symbols.
With the Islamic conquest of Egypt in the 7th century, the region became part of the Umayyad Caliphate. The early Islamic coinage in Egypt included silver dirhams, which featured Arabic inscriptions and Islamic motifs.
The Fatimid Caliphate (10th-12th centuries) and later the Mamluk Sultanate (13th-16th centuries) also issued their own silver coins. These coins often featured intricate designs and Arabic calligraphy, reflecting the artistic heritage of the Islamic world.
Egypt became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1517. The Ottomans introduced their own currency system, including silver coins such as the akce and later the para and kurush. These coins were used alongside local currencies.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Egypt came under British influence. The Egyptian pound (EGP) was introduced in 1834, replacing the piastre as the primary currency. The new currency system included silver coins, such as the 2, 5, 10, and 20 piastre pieces.
These coins featured images of Egyptian rulers and national symbols, reflecting both Egyptian identity and British influence.