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Egypt AH1358 (1939) 20 Piastre Silver Coin, Farouk I, NGC AU, Details Cleaned | Historic Silver Coin Symbolizing the Modern Kingdom of Egypt | GoldSilverJapan

The AH1358 (1939) 20 piastre silver coin, issued during the era when the Kingdom of Egypt was developing as a modern nation, is a representative piece highly popular among modern silver coin collectors and Middle Eastern currency enthusiasts worldwide. This coin is an official silver coin depicting the portrait of the young King Farouk I and is an important cultural artifact that tells the history of the late Kingdom of Egypt. The coin presented here is an authenticated coin graded AU Details – Cleaned by the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company), with authentication number 6658226-076. AU Details means that although it would normally be in a condition of about uncirculated (near-uncirculated), it has been classified as Details rather than the regular grade because it has been cleaned in the past. Despite the cleaning history, the details of the design and engraving are well preserved, making it attractive both as a historical document and as a collector's item. 1939 was also the year World War II began, and Egypt, as a geographically and strategically important region, stood on the stage of world history. The 20-piastre silver coin issued during that era is not merely currency, but a valuable historical artifact reflecting the politics, culture, economy, and modern history of the Egyptian kingdom. GoldSilverJapan specializes in showcasing antique coins from around the world that possess such historical significance and collectibility.

The obverse features a large, left-facing portrait of Farouk I, who ascended to the throne in 1936. His handsome features, befitting a young king, and his distinctive fez hat make him a widely recognized symbol of the Egyptian royal family in the first half of the 20th century. The king's name is inscribed in Arabic around the edge, showcasing a masterful fusion of beautiful calligraphy and realistic portrait engraving, characteristic of Islamic culture. Farouk I is known as the last de facto king of Egypt, and since the monarchy ended with the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, coins bearing his portrait are highly sought after as historical artifacts symbolizing the monarchical era. Although this particular coin has an AU Details rating, the outline of the portrait, ears, hat, and fine lines of the clothing are relatively well preserved, allowing for a full appreciation of its original three-dimensionality. However, fine hairline scratches from cleaning are visible across the entire surface, hence NGC has noted "Cleaned." While these Details graded coins tend to command lower market prices than perfectly unprocessed coins, they are popular among collectors because they offer a relatively affordable way to acquire rare historical silver coins.

The reverse side features a large Arabic inscription indicating 20 piastres in the center, surrounded by elegant botanical decorations, creating a distinctly Egyptian design. The symmetrical composition, centered on the face value, balances legibility with artistic merit, skillfully incorporating the decorative culture unique to Islamic art into coin design. Delicate beading adorns the outer edge, and a continuous arrangement of floral and plant-like decorations around the inscription gives it a very elegant impression. Unlike the heraldic-centered designs of Western coins, this composition, primarily based on Arabic calligraphy, is appreciated by collectors worldwide as a unique charm of Middle Eastern currency. Some of the soft luster characteristic of silver coins remains, and the inscription is still clearly legible. Although there are some effects from cleaning, the overall design is highly refined, making it a piece that allows one to enjoy the numismatic art of the Egyptian Kingdom era. In recent years, the historical coin market in the Middle East has expanded, and international attention to modern Egyptian silver coins like this is also increasing.

The year of issue, 1939, holds immense significance in world history. In that year, World War II broke out in Europe, and Egypt, as a strategic hub connecting the Mediterranean and the Middle East, was highly valued by various nations. Although formally an independent nation, the Egyptian kingdom was under strong British influence and faced complex international circumstances in the political, economic, and military spheres. Issued during this era, the 20-piastre silver coin played a crucial role as both everyday currency and a national symbol. Farouk I, though a young king, experienced a turbulent period leading to the collapse of the monarchy through World War II and domestic political turmoil. Therefore, coins bearing his portrait are highly valuable historical documents that tell the story of the final era of the Egyptian monarchy. Currently, monarchy-era silver coins are scattered throughout the world, and high-quality, authenticated pieces are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Third-party authenticated coins by NGC and PCGS offer high reliability in terms of authenticity and maintain consistent popularity at international auctions.

This particular coin has an NGC AU Details – Cleaned rating. The Details grade differs from the regular grade and is assigned to coins that have been cleaned or have minor scratches. However, this does not mean that a Details grade means the coin has no value. On the contrary, coins with rare years or from popular countries can have considerable market value even with a Details grade and are sought after by many collectors. Only AU-level wear is observed, so the original design and details are well preserved, and its historical value and aesthetic appeal are fully maintained. In recent years, the antique coin market has remained active due to global inflation and increased attention to tangible assets. Historical coins from the Middle East and North Africa, in particular, are gaining popularity in the European and American markets, and silver coins from the Egyptian Kingdom era are one category that will continue to attract attention in the long term. GoldSilverJapan specializes in handling historical silver and gold coins from around the world and values creating an environment where customers can purchase authenticated coins with confidence. For those interested in modern Egyptian history, Islamic culture, royal history, and antique coin collecting, this 20 piastre silver coin will be a highly valuable addition to your collection.

FAQ

Q. When was this coin issued?

This is a 20 piastre silver coin issued by the Kingdom of Egypt in A. AH1358 (1939 AD).

Q. Who are the people depicted?

A. This is King Farouk I, the last king of the Kingdom of Egypt.

Q. What is the face value?

A. 20 piastres.

Q. What is NGC's rating?

A. AU Details – Cleaned.

Q. What does "AU Details" mean?

A. The condition is equivalent to "About Uncirculated," but because cleaning and other treatments were observed, it has been given a "Details" rating instead of a standard grade.

Q. Is there any value in being rated as "Cleaned"?

A. Yes. It does affect the market price, but there is still sufficient demand for coins with high rarity or historical significance, even if they are only Details grade.

Q. What is the authentication number?

A. The NGC certification number is 6658226-076.

Q. Is this coin a silver coin?

A. Yes. It's a modern Egyptian silver coin worth 20 piastres.

Q. Why is 1939 important?

A. Because it was the year World War II began, and a historical period when Egypt became an internationally important strategic base.

Q. Are coins from the Egyptian Kingdom era popular?

A. Yes. Its historical background from the monarchy era and beautiful Arabic calligraphy make it popular with collectors worldwide.

Q. What are the advantages of NGC testing?

A. There are many advantages, including authenticity assurance, objective evaluation of the condition of the item, and improved market credibility.

Q. What kinds of coins does GoldSilverJapan handle?

A. We specialize in handling NGC/PCGS graded coins, antique coins from around the world, historical gold and silver coins, and rare currency.

The following are accepted: Egypt 20 Piastres 1939, King Farouk Coin, AH1358 Egypt Silver Coin, NGC AU Details, Egypt Silver Coin, Egyptian 20 Piastre Silver Coin, Farouk I Silver Coin, Antique Coin, NGC Certified Coin, GoldSilverJapan, etc.

Egypt AH1358 (1939) 20 Piastre Silver Coin, Farouk I, NGC AU, Details Cleaned | Historic Silver Symbolizing the Modern Egyptian Kingdom

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    This product is sold as a collector's item, such as coins and banknotes, that have collectible and material value. It is not intended for use as currency, but is handled as a product with collectible and material value.

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