5 Piastres EGY Banknote (General Issue) 1997-1998

5 Piastres Egyptian Pound (Issued 1997-1998)

The bust of Queen Nefertiti, one of ancient Egypt’s most celebrated and iconic royal figures, anchors the design of this small-denomination currency note issued by the Arab Republic of Egypt. Nefertiti, whose name translates as “the beautiful one has come,” reigned as Great Royal Wife during the Eighteenth Dynasty and her legendary bust — discovered in 1912 and now housed in Berlin’s Neues Museum — has become one of antiquity’s most reproduced images. Her inclusion on this 5 Piastres note reflects Egypt’s enduring pride in its ancient civilisation and its use of pharaonic imagery as a symbol of national identity. Though modest in denomination, this note carries considerable visual weight through the precision of its engraved portraiture.

On the front, the dominant design element is the finely engraved profile portrait of Queen Nefertiti positioned to the right of the note, rendered in dark brown-black intaglio engraving that captures the distinctive tall flat-topped crown, elegant facial features, and the layered collar detail associated with this iconic ancient figure. The central field carries large Arabic calligraphic text stating the denomination — five piastres — in bold, stylised script, accompanied by the numeral designation “1/1” above it. To the upper left, within a rectangular cartouche framed by fine engraved borders, appears the issuing authority name in Arabic script identifying the Arab Republic of Egypt, along with additional text referencing the official currency note status. The note is printed predominantly in warm amber and golden-brown tones, with the engraved portraiture and text rendered in a darker contrasting brown-black. A guilloché rosette pattern appears in the lower left corner, providing an ornate decorative anchor to that region of the note. Two official signatures appear on the left side of the note, presented in Arabic script, one above the other, representing the authorising signatories of the Ministry of Finance. A serial number — rendered in dark numerals — runs along the lower portion of the note. The denomination numeral “5” appears in each upper corner within decorative scalloped frames. Fine lace-like border patterns run along all four edges of the note, and the text “مطابع البريد” (Postal Printing House) appears along the very bottom margin, indicating the printing authority.

The reverse of the note is printed in the same warm amber and golden-brown palette, with dark brown engraved elements throughout. At the centre, a large ornate guilloché oval frame encloses the bold numeral “5” alongside the word “PIASTRES” in clear Latin text, forming the primary denomination indicator on this face. To the upper centre, within a decorative cartouche, the issuing authority appears again in Arabic script identifying the Arab Republic of Egypt, followed by the English text “ISSUED UNDER LAW No. 50/1940,” confirming the legislative authority under which the note was produced. Beneath this, a manuscript-style facsimile signature reads “M. Elghareeb” with the title “MINISTER OF FINANCE” printed below in English, identifying the signatory as the Minister of Finance at the time of issue. The lower arc of the central design carries the full English text “THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT CURRENCY NOTE,” curving in a formal typographic arc. The denomination numeral “5” appears once more in each lower corner, set within scalloped decorative frames consistent with the front. An intricate guilloché rosette pattern fills the left side of the reverse, and fine geometric border engraving frames the entire perimeter. Along the very bottom margin, the text “POSTAL PRINTING HOUSE” confirms the printing facility in English, mirroring the Arabic equivalent on the obverse.

This 5 Piastres Egyptian Pound banknote can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com, where old or withdrawn Egyptian Pounds banknotes are bought alongside other foreign currency — ideal for clearing a drawer of mixed coins and notes at once.

• Indicate the quantity of 5 Piastres Egyptian Pound banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com buys and exchanges foreign currency of every kind, so your Egyptian Pounds banknotes — withdrawn or current — can be sold for cash together with the rest of your leftover coins and notes.