Egypt 50 Piastre Banknote 1940-1943 Pick #21b PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58 | Banknotes issued by the National Bank of Egypt inheriting the beauty and history of ancient Egypt | GoldSilverJapan
The 50 piastre banknote (Pick #21b), issued by the National Bank of Egypt between 1940 and 1943, is a historical banknote representing Egypt during World War II and is highly sought after by banknote collectors worldwide. This exquisitely printed banknote, produced by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. (BWC), beautifully combines Arabic calligraphy with artistic designs symbolizing ancient Egypt. The particular banknote presented here has been graded "Choice About Uncirculated 58" by the Paper Money Guarantee (PMG). A grade of 58 indicates that the banknote has been in circulation for a very short time, yet the paper quality, print clarity, and beautiful colors have been preserved in excellent condition. The PMG has also noted that this banknote has been "Previously Mounted," but this is due to the storage method and does not significantly diminish the banknote's historical value or collectibility. Egyptian banknotes from the 1940s are rare, and those certified by PMG maintain a stable popularity in the international market. GoldSilverJapan carefully selects and introduces historical banknotes from around the world, but this particular banknote is a fascinating collector's item that allows you to enjoy both ancient civilization and modern financial history at the same time.
The obverse design features a female figure symbolizing ancient Egyptian civilization, representing Egypt's rich history and culture spanning thousands of years. The portrait is created using precise intaglio printing, with extremely fine, sculptural detail in the clothing, profile, and ornaments. The bank name and denomination are beautifully rendered in Arabic in the center of the banknote, with flowing calligraphy that creates an elegant atmosphere characteristic of Islamic culture. The background employs intricate guilloché patterns and decorative motifs, which also functioned as a sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technique for its time. The bottom bears the issuing city of Cairo and the issue date of September 1, 1942, making it a valuable historical document that conveys the historical context of World War II. Egypt was an important strategic base in the Middle East and North Africa region at the time, and banknotes issued during this period are not merely circulating currency but also highly valuable historical documents that tell the story of the economic and social conditions during wartime. The calm color scheme based on a light green and the delicate printing technique harmonize to create a design that stands out among the world's banknotes.
The reverse side prominently displays the name "National Bank of Egypt" in English, along with the face value of 50 Piastres, and features a beautifully arranged classical decorative design. A detailed geometric pattern spreads across the center, surrounded by decorations reminiscent of ancient Egyptian culture. A crescent moon and three stars are depicted on the left, a motif that served as a national emblem symbolizing the Egyptian kingdom at the time. The plant motifs and symmetrical design reflect the high level of design expertise characteristic of the British banknote printing company, Bradbury Wilkinson. This company is known as a prestigious printing firm that produced numerous banknotes for countries around the world from the 19th to the 20th centuries, and its printing quality is still highly regarded today. This banknote also employs extremely fine lines and uniform printing techniques, and its high level of perfection can still be appreciated even after more than 80 years. Both the front and back designs prioritize elegance over ostentation, making it a highly popular work of art symbolizing the fusion of ancient civilization and a modern nation.
In the 1940s, Egypt, though nominally an independent nation, was under strong British influence and left its mark on history as a crucial base on the North African front during World War II. The banknotes issued during this period are deeply connected not only to the Egyptian economy but also to global affairs. The National Bank of Egypt served as the country's central bank for many years and played a vital role in the development of the modern Egyptian financial system. The 50 piastre was a frequently used denomination in daily circulation, but its beautiful design also meant it was relatively often preserved, and it is now a popular series among banknote collectors worldwide. However, high-grade examples with PMG certification are not numerous, and the number circulating in the market is limited. Egyptian banknotes from the World War II era, in particular, have recently attracted increasing attention as collectibles that combine historical and artistic merit, and are being collected across a wide range of themes, including Middle Eastern banknotes, African banknotes, and banknotes related to British colonies.
This particular banknote has a PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58 certification, indicating excellent preservation with virtually no signs of actual circulation. The banknote's original paper quality, print clarity, and beautiful colors are still maintained, making it a highly satisfying collectible. The PMG label also includes the comment "Previously Mounted," indicating its history of being mounted in an album or similar, and providing PMG with accurate information about its condition. Even banknotes with such comments are highly valued by collectors for their excellent condition and rarity, and are widely traded in the market. The PMG certification guarantees authenticity and condition by a third-party organization, making it a very attractive item for collectors and owners. 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 1940 and 1943 (Pick #21b) is a representative vintage banknote that combines three appealing elements: the artistry of ancient Egyptian civilization, British printing technology, and the history of World War II. It is popular in various themes such as Middle Eastern banknote collections, African banknote collections, Bradbury Wilkinson printed banknotes, and PMG certified banknotes, and is highly regarded by history buffs and banknote collectors. Its high state of preservation, with a PMG Choice About Uncirculated rating of 58, is one of the points that suggests it will continue to command a stable value in the collection market. GoldSilverJapan carefully selects and introduces historical and certified banknotes from around the world, and this banknote is a recommended collection item that combines a beautiful design, excellent condition, and rich historical background.
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 a series published between 1940 and 1943. This particular item was issued in 1942.
Q. What is the face value?
A. 50 piastres.
Q. What is the Pick number?
A. Pick #21b.
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 does "Previously Mounted" mean?
A. This is a comment from PMG indicating that the device has a history of being attached to albums and other items in the past.
Q. What is depicted on the surface?
A. It features a female figure symbolizing ancient Egypt and beautiful Arabic calligraphy.
Q. What is depicted on the back?
A. It features the name of the National Bank of Egypt, a face value of 50 Piastres, a crescent moon and star, and decorative patterns.
Q. Are these banknotes from the World War II era?
A. Yes. These are historical banknotes issued during World War II in the 1940s.
Q. Does it have any collectible value?
A. Yes. It is a representative series of Egyptian banknotes and is popular all over the world.
Q. What are the benefits of PMG certification?
A. The advantage is that you can obtain a guarantee of authenticity and an objective assessment of the item's condition.
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. Their designs, themed around ancient civilizations, are popular with collectors 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 choice for your first world banknote collection.
Q. What is the appeal of this banknote?
A. The design symbolizes ancient Egypt, the printing is beautiful, the historical background is significant, and the PMG certification provides peace of mind.
Q. Does GoldSilverJapan handle authenticated banknotes?
A. Yes. We handle a large number of banknotes that have been authenticated by third-party authentication organizations such as PMG and PCGS.
This includes Egyptian 50 Piastres, Pick 21b, National Bank of Egypt, PMG 58, Bradbury Wilkinson, Egyptian Banknote, World Banknotes, Egyptian banknotes, PMG banknotes, Pick 21b, 50 Piastres, vintage banknotes, GoldSilverJapan, etc.
