Thread: 1999 Egyption 5 coin, 5 pound Proof set

Hi, I don't usually collect foreign (non-USA) coins but I do have about 100 or so. Thought some of you out there more involved with non-USA coinage might appreciate these. I do collect egyptian artifacts that's why I picked these up. This set was limited to 1,999 issues and if you think the US mint ships slow, these took almost a year to recieve. I will tell you one thing tho, the quality of these coins rivals any PR69DCAM US coin. One of my main collecting areas is PCGS PR69DCAM coins and these will stand up right with them as far as quality goes. I do have another non-USA coin I will need all your help identifying (as soon as I find it to take a pic) all I can tell you is it's smaller than a US cent, dated 1851 and has a "w" with a crown on top of it. I haven't been able to find it in any library book or internet source. I'll find it later and post a pic and let you folks with more non_USA experience identify it so I know how to classify it. MM

Oh yea- coin specs...
Denomination... 5 Egyptian pounds
Metal............. .999 fine silver
Diameter......... 37 mm
Weight........... 17.5 grams
Obv Designs.... Falcon God Horus, Mask of King Tut, Temples Of Abu Simbel,
Cleopatra and Bust of Nefertiti

Wow...very nice coins! I love ancient items...Egyptian history fascinates me, although I am more informed on Roman history. I have never purchased a foreign proof set, but I know there are lots of nice ones out there.

Hi mattman, and a somewhat belated welcome to the forum. That's some beautiful Egyptian silver you have there.

Originally Posted by mattman

I do have another non-USA coin I will need all your help identifying (as soon as I find it to take a pic) all I can tell you is it's smaller than a US cent, dated 1851 and has a "w" with a crown on top of it.

My first guess was Netherlands, William II, and there is in fact a 1/2¢ copper, KM#68, with an obverse consisting of a large "W", surmounted by a crown, with "18" to the left and the rest of the date to the right. The reverse is a shield with a lion standing on its hind feet, holding a sword, also surmounted by a crown. It has "1/2" of the left and "¢" on the right.

If that's what you have, there were 2,051,000 minted , and value in the 3rd Ed. Standard Catalog of World Coins was $10 F, $25 VF, $50 XF, and $100 Unc.

There should be two privy marks - a small caduceus indicating the Utrecht mint, and a small sword indicating the unnamed mintmaster in office from 1846-74. The photo in Krause is not too clear, but the sword appears to be at the bottom left corner of the reverse shield, and the caduceus may be at the bottom right corner.

Whether or not that's your coin, please post a photo when you get a chance.

Heres pics of the 1851 coin. Found it mixed with some barber dimes in the collection, who knows how it got with them! Was starting to think I lost it for a minute. Anyway the Netherlands kinda makes sence tho, I found it metal detecting in Pennsyvania a while back and I think the Dutch and Netherlands are the same, kinda sorta maybe? I've heard that the Amish still use alot of old money amongst themselves. Any ideas on this anyone. Could be wrong, just some tidbit I picked up somewhere. Thanks for the info, I guess I know where to come for help. Oh yeah, I can't see the message while typing this, so if you already mentioned it forgive me, but which side would be considered obverse? Date side I presume but I'm not that familiar with world coins. MM

PS> I know this coin don't grade that great, but you have to remeber I dug it out of the ground and it was basically just a black, crusty disk when it came out. At first I thought it was a 17-1800's era button until I cleaned it. (I know what your thinking but remember what I just said, Dug coin) Copper rarely comes out of the ground nice but silver comes out the ground just as it went in. Dirt dosen't stick to silver coins, it's amazing some times how nice they are after sitting in the ground for many, many decades.

Yup - that's a Netherlands 1/2c - Roy called it

Originally Posted by mattman

I found it metal detecting in Pennsyvania a while back and I think the Dutch and Netherlands are the same

Dutch is the language spoken in the Netherlands aka Holland, and the residents are often called "Dutchmen".

which side would be considered obverse? Date side I presume but I'm not that familiar with world coins.

Yup.

I know this coin don't grade that great, but you have to remeber I dug it out of the ground and it was basically just a black, crusty disk when it came out.

I would call it Good, tending toward Very Good.

I cleaned it. (I know what your thinking but remember what I just said, Dug coin)

From the value standpoint you didn't do that circulated a coin any harm.

In your pictures what I thought was the sword in the Krause picture looks like it might be a caduceus. Can you verify that, and is there be a small sword privy mark somewhere?

In your pictures what I thought was the sword in the Krause picture looks like it might be a caduceus. Can you verify that, and is there be a small sword privy mark somewhere?[/QUOTE]

Here are some closeups. The mark at 7:00 reverse appears to be a sword or dagger and the mark at 5:00 reverse may be a caduceus but I'm unable to tell for sure. It almost looks like a hatchet? No marks on obverse besides design. MM

Mintmaster H.A. van den Wall Bake

"Holland" is the name of just one of the provinces of The Netherlands, and is technically an incorrect reference, though commonly used.

These were struck by The Franklin Mint in 1999...a very nice set. These were the last Egyptian Coins to be struck by Franklin Mint. Prior they struck a gold coin of the same design as these silver pieces every year or so.

^ Yea i have few of those coins been looking to get 100 pound coins to finish the set. A lottery ticket win would sure help in that process...

Very nice set.

Yes, even the Dutch refer to the Netherlands as "Holland."