Egyptian National Bank 50 Piastre Banknote 1948-1950 Pick #21d PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58 | Beautiful Vintage Banknotes Inheriting the Tradition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization | GoldSilverJapan
The 50 piastre banknote (Pick #21d), issued by the National Bank of Egypt between 1948 and 1950, is a popular series highly valued by collectors worldwide as a classic banknote representing post-war Egypt. Manufactured by the prestigious British printing company Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. (BWC), this banknote is an exceptional piece, combining precise intaglio printing, beautiful Arabic calligraphy, and an artistic design symbolizing ancient Egyptian civilization. The particular banknote presented here has received a Choice About Uncirculated 58 grade from the Paper Money Guarantee (PMG). A 58 grade indicates extremely low circulation history and exceptionally good paper and printing quality, making it a remarkably well-preserved vintage banknote. This banknote is classified as Pick #21d and is known as a later type, featuring a Leith-Ross signature and a scarab watermark. Issued on February 27, 1948, this series of banknotes is a historical symbol of Egypt's economic recovery after World War II, and its circulation in the market is gradually decreasing. PMG-certified banknotes maintain a stable popularity in the global market and occupy an important position in Middle Eastern and African banknote collections. GoldSilverJapan introduces excellent certified banknotes from around the world, but this particular banknote is a recommended collector's item that combines history, artistry, and excellent condition.
The obverse design features a female figure symbolizing ancient Egyptian civilization, a symbolic design that conveys thousands of years of Egyptian history and culture to the present day. The female figure, depicted in profile, wears clothing reminiscent of the ancient dynastic era, and the intricate details of her hair ornaments and clothing are beautifully reproduced thanks to Bradbury Wilkinson's unique and precise engraving techniques. The bank name and denomination are placed in the center in elegant Arabic script, and the graceful typeface characteristic of Islamic culture gives the entire banknote a sense of refinement. The denomination "50" is prominently placed on the right side, and combined with the decorative pattern, it achieves both high legibility and artistic merit. The serial number and issue date "CAIRO 27TH FEBRUARY 1948" are also printed, indicating that this banknote was issued during the Egyptian Kingdom era. The background features intricate guilloché patterns and plant motifs, employing state-of-the-art anti-counterfeiting technology for its time. The calm color scheme, based on a light green, maintains an elegant impression even after nearly 80 years, allowing you to enjoy the graceful design unique to Egyptian banknotes.
The reverse side prominently displays the name "National Bank of Egypt" in English, with the face value of 50 Piastres on either side. The left side features a crescent moon and three stars, historical national symbols representing the Egyptian kingdom era. The center reads "Issued Under Decree Dated 25th June, 1898," indicating that the banknote was issued under a decree of 1898. The entire background is adorned with extremely intricate geometric patterns, showcasing Bradbury Wilkinson's world-class printing technology. The symmetrically placed plant motifs and classical design exude the dignified elegance characteristic of British banknotes. The use of a subdued blue-gray color scheme, rather than flashy colors, ensures its timeless beauty even after many years. The ancient civilization motifs on the front and the modern banknote design on the reverse harmonize beautifully, making this banknote not merely currency but a highly regarded historical work of art.
In 1948, Egypt was under the rule of Sultan Farouk, a time of post-World War II reconstruction and modernization. The National Bank of Egypt had long served as the central bank and played a vital role as the core of the domestic financial system. This 50 piastre banknote, while a denomination widely used in daily life, is now popular among collectors worldwide due to its beautiful design and superior print quality. This series also features a scarab watermark, incorporating the sacred beetle, which in ancient Egypt symbolized rebirth and eternal life, as an anti-counterfeiting technology. The unique Egyptian cultural background of incorporating symbols of ancient civilization into banknotes is a major attraction of this series. In recent years, international appreciation for historical banknotes from the Middle East has increased, and there is a stable demand for particularly well-preserved, PMG-certified examples. According to PMG data, there are only 57 examples of this Pick #21d, PMG 58, and 130 examples of the higher grade, meaning that the number of high-quality examples in the market is not large. Therefore, this banknote is attracting attention not only as a historical document but also as a highly collectible vintage banknote.
This particular banknote has received a PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58 rating, indicating minimal signs of use from circulation. The original paper quality and print clarity are well-preserved. PMG is one of the world's most trusted banknote grading organizations, and its grading is highly regarded in the international market. While a 58 grade does not reach mint condition, it essentially means a near-mint state, with minimal creases and wear. The intricate printing by Bradbury Wilkinson is remarkably clear, allowing you to fully appreciate the Arabic lettering, guilloché patterns, and the details of the ancient Egyptian female figures. Because it is sealed in a PMG-certified case, its authenticity and condition are guaranteed by a third-party organization, allowing you to add it to your collection with confidence. Please note that the serial number on each banknote is unique. The image shown is for reference only, and the serial number on the banknote you receive may differ.
The Egyptian 50 piastre banknote issued between 1948 and 1950 (Pick #21d) is a fascinating global banknote that encapsulates ancient Egyptian civilization, British banknote printing technology, and the history of the post-war Egyptian kingdom. Popular in a wide range of fields, including Middle Eastern banknote collections, African banknote collections, Bradbury Wilkinson printed banknotes, PMG certified banknotes, and ancient Egyptian themed collections, it is highly valued by collectors worldwide. With an excellent preservation status of PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58, and features that are professionally valued, such as the scarab watermark and Leith-Ross signature, this banknote is an outstanding collectible item that combines historical significance, artistic value, and rarity. GoldSilverJapan handles carefully selected certified banknotes from around the world, and this banknote is a safe and recommended addition to any Egyptian banknote collection.
FAQ
Q. Which country's currency is this banknote from?
A. This is a banknote issued by the National Bank of Egypt.
Q. What year was it published?
A. This is from the 1948-1950 series (Pick #21d). This particular item was issued on February 27, 1948.
Q. What is the face value?
A. 50 piastres.
Q. What is the Pick number?
A. Pick #21d.
Q. Which printing company do you use?
A. Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. (BWC) from the UK.
Q. What is the PMG grade?
A. Choice About Uncirculated 58.
Q. What is depicted on the surface?
A. It depicts a female figure and Arabic script, symbolizing ancient Egyptian civilization.
Q. What is depicted on the back?
A. The name of the National Bank of Egypt, 50 Piastres, a crescent moon and three stars, and decorative patterns are depicted.
Q. What is a scarab watermark?
A. In ancient Egypt, the scarab beetle symbolized rebirth and eternity, and it was used as an anti-counterfeiting technique.
Q. What is Leith-Ross?
A. This refers to the signature (Sign. Leith-Ross) used in this series.
Q. Is the PMG58 highly rated?
A. Yes. It is a high-grade item in excellent, near-mint condition.
Q. How many 58 grades are there in the PMG demographics?
A. According to PMG's certification data, there are 57 plates for the 58 grade and 130 plates for the higher grades (information as of the time of publication).
Q. Is the serial number the same as the one in the image?
A. They are not necessarily the same. Serial numbers may vary from one item to another.
Q. Are Egyptian banknotes popular?
A. Yes. Its designs, themed around ancient civilizations, and its long history have made it popular worldwide.
Q. Is it recommended for beginners?
A. Yes. It has a good balance of historical significance, artistic value, and condition, making it a great entry point into world banknote collecting.
Q. What are the advantages of purchasing authenticated banknotes?
A. PMG guarantees authenticity and provides an objective assessment of the condition of the items, so you can collect and hold them with peace of mind.
Q. What is the appeal of this banknote?
A. It combines ancient Egyptian design, beautiful printing, post-war Egyptian history, and high-quality PMG certification.
Q. Does GoldSilverJapan handle international banknotes?
A. Yes. We carefully select and showcase collector banknotes from around the world, primarily those certified by PMG and PCGS.
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