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Egyptian pound

جنيه مصرى (Egyptian Arabic)
Obverse of £200 banknote
ISO 4217
Code	EGP (numeric: 818)
Subunit	0.01
Unit
Symbol	£, £E, E£, ج.م, and L.E.‎
Denominations
Subunit
1⁄100	Piastre (قرش, Ersh)
1⁄1,000	Millieme (مليم,‎ Mallīm)
Symbol
Piastre (قرش, Ersh)	pt.
Banknotes
Freq. used	£1, £5, £10, £20, £50, £100, £200
Rarely used	25pt, 50pt
Coins	25pt, 50pt, £1
Demographics
Official user(s)	Egypt
Unofficial user(s)	Gaza Strip
Issuance
Central bank	Central Bank of Egypt
Website	www.cbe.org.eg/en
Valuation
Inflation	5.86% (2020)

The Egyptian pound (Template:Lang-arz geneːh maṣri Template:IPA-arz; sign: £, E£, £E, L.E. ج.م; code: EGP) is the currency of Egypt. It is divided into 100 piastres, or ersh (قرش Template:IPA-arz; plural قروش Template:IPA-arz), or 1,000 milliemes (مليم  Template:IPA-ar; Template:Lang-fr).

The Egyptian pound is often abbreviated to LE or L.E. (livre égyptienne in French), £/E£/£E is also used when the pound sign is available. The Arabic name genēh Template:IPA-arz is derived from the guinea unit of account in sterling, which was close in value to 100 piastres at the end of the 19th century.

History

In 1834, a khedival decree was issued, adopting an Egyptian currency based on a bimetallic standard (gold and silver) on the basis of the Maria Theresa thaler, a popular trade coin in the region. The Egyptian pound, known as the geneih, was introduced, replacing the Egyptian piastre (ersh) as the chief unit of currency. The piastre continued to circulate as 1⁄100 of a pound, with the piastre subdivided into 40 para. In 1885, the para ceased to be issued, and the piastre was divided into tenths (عشر القرش 'oshr el-ersh). These tenths were renamed milliemes (malleem) in 1916.

The legal exchange rates were fixed by force of law for important foreign currencies which became acceptable in the settlement of internal transactions. Eventually this led to Egypt using a de facto gold standard between 1885 and 1914, with E£1 = 7.4375 grams pure gold. At the outbreak of World War I, the Egyptian pound used a sterling peg at one pound and sixpence sterling to one Egyptian pound (£1 STG = E£0.975, or E£1 = £1/-/6 STG).

Egypt remained part of the Sterling Area until 1962, when Egypt devalued slightly and switched to a peg to the United States dollar, at a rate of E£1 = US$2.3. This peg was changed to E£1 = US$2.55555 in 1973 when the dollar was devalued. The pound was itself devalued in 1978 to a peg of £1 STG = US$1.42857 (US$1 = E£0.7). The pound floated in 1989. However, until 2001, the float was tightly managed by the Central Bank of Egypt and foreign exchange controls were in effect. After exhausting all of its policies to support the Egyptian pound, the Central Bank of Egypt was forced to end the managed-float regime and allowed the pound to float freely on the 3rd of November 2016; the bank also announced an end to foreign exchange controls that day. The official rate fell twofold.

The Egyptian pound was also used in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan between 1899 and 1956, and Cyrenaica when it was under British occupation and later an independent emirate between 1942 and 1951. It also circulated in Mandatory Palestine from 1918 to 1927, when the Palestine pound was introduced, equal in value to the pound sterling. The National Bank of Egypt issued banknotes for the first time on 3 April 1899. The Central Bank of Egypt and the National Bank of Egypt were unified into the Central Bank of Egypt in 1961.

Popular denominations and nomenclature

Used for historical values or jocularly

Several unofficial popular names are used to refer to different values of Egyptian currency. These include (from the word nickel) nekla (نكلة) Template:IPA-arz for 2 milliemes, ta'rifa (تعريفة) Template:IPA-arz for 5 milliemes, shelen (شلن) Template:IPA-arz (i.e. a shilling) for 5 piastres, bariza (بريزة) Template:IPA-arz for 10 piastres, and reyal (ريال) Template:IPA-arz ("real") for 20 piastres. Since the piastre and millieme are no longer legal tender, the smallest denomination currently minted being the 25-piastre coin (functioning as one-quarter of one pound), these terms have mostly fallen into disuse and survive as curios. A few have survived to refer to pounds: bariza now refers to the ten-pound note and reyal can be used in reference to the 20-pound note.

Informal

Different sums of EGP have special nicknames, for example: E£1 Bolbol meaning nightingale or Gondi meaning soldier, E£1,000 bako (باكو) Template:IPA-arz "pack"; E£1,000,000 arnab (أرنب) Template:IPA-arz "rabbit"; E£1,000,000,000 feel (فيل) Template:IPA-arz "elephant".

Coins

Between 1837 and 1900, copper 1 and 5 para, silver 10p. and 20p., 1pt, 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins, gold 5pt, 10pt, 20pt and £1 coins were introduced, with gold 50pt coins following in 1839.

Copper 10p. coins were introduced in 1853, although the silver coin continued to be issued. Copper 10p coins were again introduced in 1862, followed by copper 4 para and 21⁄2 piastre coins in 1863. Gold 25 piastre coins were introduced in 1867.

In 1885, a new coinage was introduced consisting of bronze 1⁄4, 1⁄2, 1, 2 and 5 millieme, silver 1pt, 2pt, 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins. The gold coinage practically ceased, with only small numbers of 5 and 10 piastre coins issued.

In 1916 and 1917, a new base metal coinage was introduced consisting of bronze 1⁄2 millieme and holed, cupro-nickel 1, 2, 5 and 10 millieme coins. Silver 2pt, 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins continued to be issued, and a gold £1 coin was reintroduced. Between 1922 and 1923, the gold coinage was extended to include 20pt and 50pt and £1 and £5 coins. In 1924, bronze replaced cupro-nickel in the 1m. coin and the holes were removed from the other cupro-nickel coins. In 1938, bronze 5m. and 10m. coins were introduced, followed in 1944 by silver, hexagonal 2pt coins.

Between 1954 and 1956, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of aluminium-bronze 1m., 5m. and 10m. and silver 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins, with the size of the silver coinage significantly reduced. An aluminium-bronze 2 millieme coin was introduced in 1962. In 1967 the silver coinage was abandoned and cupro-nickel 5pt and 10pt coins were introduced.

Aluminium replaced aluminium-bronze in the 1m., 5m. and 10m. coins in 1972, followed by brass in the 5m. and 10m. coins in 1973. Aluminium-bronze 2pt and cupro-nickel 20pt coins were introduced in 1980, followed by aluminium-bronze 1pt and 5pt coins in 1984. In 1992, brass 5pt and 10pt coins were introduced, followed by holed, cupro-nickel 25pt coins in 1993. The size of 5pt coins was reduced in 2004, 10pt and 25pt piastre coins - in 2008.

On June 1, 2006, 50pt and £1 coins dated 2005 were introduced, and its equivalent banknotes were temporarily phased out from circulation in 2010. The coins bear the face of Cleopatra VII and Tutankhamun's mask, and the 1 pound coin is bimetallic. The size and composition of 50pt coins was reduced in 2007.

Coins in circulation

Value	Debut	Image		Specifications					Description
		Obverse	Reverse	Diameter (mm)	Thickness (mm)	Mass (g)	Composition		Obverse	Reverse
5pt**	1984			23	1.2	4.9	Copper 95% Aluminum 5%		3 pyramids of Giza	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Value in Arabic Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic
	1992			21	1.1	3.2	Copper 92% Aluminum 8%		Islamic pottery
	2004–2008			17	1.04	2.4	Steel 94% Nickel 2% Copper plating 4%
10pt**	1984			25	1.35	5.2	Copper 75% Nickel 25%		Mosque of Muhammad Ali
	1992			23	1.2	4.9	Copper 95% Aluminum 5%
	2008			19	1.1	3.2	Steel 94% Copper 2% Nickel plating 4%
20pt**	1984			27	1.4	6	Copper 75% Nickel 25%
	1992			25	1.35	5.2	Copper 95% Aluminum 5%		Al-Azhar mosque
25pt	1993**				1.4				Islamic illustration Value in Arabic and in English	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic
	2008-22			21	1.26	4.5	Steel 94% Copper 2% Nickel plating 4%
50pt	2005			25	1.58	6.5	Copper 75% Zinc 20% Nickel 5%		Cleopatra's head Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Value in Arabic and in English
	2007-21			23	1.7		Steel 94% Nickel 2% Copper plating 4%
£1***	2005			25	1.89	8.5	Bimetal		Tutankhamun's mask	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Value in Arabic and in English Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic
							Ring	Centre
							Copper 75% Nickel 25%	Copper 75% Zinc 20% Nickel 5%
	2007–2020				1.96		Steel 94% Copper 2% Nickel plating 4%	Steel 94% Nickel 2% Copper plating 4%

** Not in circulation as of 2008.

Banknotes

In 1899, the National Bank of Egypt introduced notes in denominations of 50pt, £1, £5, £10, £50 and £100. Between 1916 and 1917, 25pt notes were added, together with government currency notes for 5pt and 10pt. Issued intermittently, the 5pt and 10pt are today produced by the Ministry of Finance.

In 1961, the Central Bank of Egypt took over from the National Bank and issued notes in denominations of 25pt and 50pt, £1, £5 and £10. £20 notes were introduced in 1976, followed by £100 in 1978, £50 in 1993 and £200 in 2007.

All Egyptian banknotes are bilingual, with Arabic texts and Eastern Arabic numerals on the obverse, and English texts and Western Arabic numerals on the reverse. Obverse designs tend to feature an Islamic building with reverse designs featuring Ancient Egyptian motifs (buildings, statues and inscriptions). During December 2006, it was mentioned in articles in Al Ahram and Al Akhbar newspapers that there were plans to introduce £200 and £500 notes. As of 2019, there are £200 notes circulating but there are still no plans for printing £500 notes. Starting from 2011 the 25- and 50-piastre, and £1, banknotes have been phased out and replaced by more extensive use of coins. As of June 2016 the National Bank of Egypt reintroduced the E£1 banknote into circulation as well as the 25 and 50 piastre notes in response to a shortage of small change.

The governor of the Central Bank of Egypt announced that the Central Bank of Egypt will issue polymer notes by the beginning of 2021. This change comes as the CBE moves its headquarters to the new administrative capital. On July 31, 2021, the President of Egypt reviewed the £10 and £20 notes, to be issued in November 2021. In August 2021, the Central Bank was forced to confirm that rainbow holograms on the new banknotes were a secure watermarking feature to prevent counterfeiting, after online critics suggested it was a covert message of support for LGBT rights.

Current series of the Egyptian pound

Image		Value	Dimensions (millimeters)	Main color	Description		Year of first issue
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		25pt	130 × 70	Blue	Ayesha mosque	Coat of arms of Egypt	1985
		50pt	135 × 70	Brown/yellow-green	Al-Azhar Mosque	Ramesses II	1985
		£1	140 × 70	Beige	Mosque and mausoleum of Qaitbay	Abu Simbel temples	1978
		£5	145 × 70	Bluish-green	Mosque of Ibn Tulun	A Pharaonic engraving of Hapi (god of the annual flooding of the Nile) offering bounties.	1981
		£10	150 × 70	Pink	Al Rifa'i Mosque	Khafre Enthroned	2003
		£20	155 × 70	Green	Mosque of Muhammad Ali	A Pharaonic war chariot and frieze from the chapel of Senusret I	1978
		£50	160 × 70	Brownish-red	Abu Hurayba Mosque (Qijmas al-Ishaqi Mosque)	Temple of Edfu	1993
		£100	165 × 70	Cyan	Sultan Hassan Mosque	Great Sphinx of Giza	1994
		£200	165 × 72	Olive	Mosque of Qani-Bay	The Seated Scribe	2007

Historical and current exchange rates

Pound sterling

This table shows the value of one pound sterling in Egyptian pounds:

US dollar

This table shows the historical value of 1.00 US dollar in Egyptian pounds:

See also

• Economy of Egypt
• British currency in the Middle East

References

1. "EGP - Egyptian Pound rates, news, and tools | Xe".
2. "StackPath".
3. "Egyptian Pound (EGP) Definition".
4. "StackPath".
5. Chami, Ralph; Espinoza, Raphael; Montiel, Peter J. (26 January 2021). Macroeconomic Policy in Fragile States. ISBN 978-0-19-885309-1.
6. ^ Published by H. Plecher (2020-04-29). "• Egypt- Inflation rate 2021". Statista. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
7. "EGP - Egyptian Pound rates, news, and tools | Xe".
8. "Egyptian Pound (EGP) Definition".
9. "StackPath".
10. "StackPath".
11. Cuhaj, George S., ed. (2009). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money Specialized Issues (11 ed.). Krause. p. 1070. ISBN 978-1-4402-0450-0.
12. Markus A. Denzel (2010). Handbook of World Exchange Rates, 1590-1914. Ashgate Publishing. p. 599. ISBN 978-0-7546-0356-6. The piastre of 1839 contained 1.146 grammes of fine silver, the piastre of 1801 approximately 4.6 grammes of fine silver. The most important Egyptian coins, the bedidlik in gold (= 100 piastres; 7.487 grammes of fine gold) and the rial in silver (20 piastres; 23.294 grammes of fine silver)
13. Feteha, Ahmed; Shahine, Alaa (3 November 2016). "Egypt Free Floats Pound, Raises Lending Rates to Spur Economy". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
14. "CBE not to impose restrictions on foreign currency exchange". Egypt Independent. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
15. "Developments of Note Issue". 10 December 2004. Archived from the original on 10 December 2004. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
16. "Coins from Egypt – Numista".
17. "Nach Thund". Nachthund.biz. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
18. ""المركزى": تراجع قيمة الجنيه لن يدفعنا لطرح ورقة نقدية من فئة 500 - اليوم السابع". Youm7.com. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
19. "عودة الجنيه المصري الورقي اليوم بعد اختفائه أكثر من 5 سنوات". Archived from the original on 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
20. "Egypt to roll out new plastic currency starting 2021: Amer". Amwal Al Ghad. 2020-09-12. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
21. "ننشر أول صور للعملات البلاستيكية الجديدة فئة 10 و20 جنيها". صدى البلد (in Arabic). 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
22. Powys Maurice, Emily (3 August 2021). "Bank of Egypt forced to confirm new rainbow note isn't for LGBT+ rights after backlash". PinkNews. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
23. "CBE confirms continued validity of all paper currencies". Egypt Independent. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.

Devaluation Of Egyptian Pound Devaluation Status

Bibliography

• Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1991). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801–1991 (18th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873411501.
• Pick, Albert (1994). Bruce, Colin R. II; Shafer, Neil (eds.). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues (7th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.

External links

• Central Bank of Egypt
• Historical and current banknotes of Egypt
• Information about Egyptian money

v t e Economy of Egypt
Currency: Egyptian pound
Communications	Telecommunications Transportation
History	2023–2024 Egyptian financial crisis
Industries	Agriculture Tourism

• Africa
• Asia
• Egypt
• Money
• Numismatics

History

In 1834, a khedival decree was issued, adopting an Egyptian currency based on a bimetallic standard (gold and silver) on the basis of the Maria Theresa thaler, a popular trade coin in the region. The Egyptian pound, known as the geneih, was introduced, replacing the Egyptian piastre (ersh) as the chief unit of currency. The piastre continued to circulate as 1⁄100 of a pound, with the piastre subdivided into 40 para. In 1885, the para ceased to be issued, and the piastre was divided into tenths (عشر القرش 'oshr el-ersh). These tenths were renamed milliemes (malleem) in 1916.

The legal exchange rates were fixed by force of law for important foreign currencies which became acceptable in the settlement of internal transactions. Eventually this led to Egypt using a de facto gold standard between 1885 and 1914, with E£1 = 7.4375 grams pure gold. At the outbreak of World War I, the Egyptian pound used a sterling peg at one pound and sixpence sterling to one Egyptian pound (£1 STG = E£0.975, or E£1 = £1/-/6 STG).

Egypt remained part of the Sterling Area until 1962, when Egypt devalued slightly and switched to a peg to the United States dollar, at a rate of E£1 = US$2.3. This peg was changed to E£1 = US$2.55555 in 1973 when the dollar was devalued. The pound was itself devalued in 1978 to a peg of £1 STG = US$1.42857 (US$1 = E£0.7). The pound floated in 1989. However, until 2001, the float was tightly managed by the Central Bank of Egypt and foreign exchange controls were in effect. After exhausting all of its policies to support the Egyptian pound, the Central Bank of Egypt was forced to end the managed-float regime and allowed the pound to float freely on the 3rd of November 2016; the bank also announced an end to foreign exchange controls that day. The official rate fell twofold.

The Egyptian pound was also used in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan between 1899 and 1956, and Cyrenaica when it was under British occupation and later an independent emirate between 1942 and 1951. It also circulated in Mandatory Palestine from 1918 to 1927, when the Palestine pound was introduced, equal in value to the pound sterling. The National Bank of Egypt issued banknotes for the first time on 3 April 1899. The Central Bank of Egypt and the National Bank of Egypt were unified into the Central Bank of Egypt in 1961.

Popular denominations and nomenclature

Used for historical values or jocularly

Several unofficial popular names are used to refer to different values of Egyptian currency. These include (from the word nickel) nekla (نكلة) Template:IPA-arz for 2 milliemes, ta'rifa (تعريفة) Template:IPA-arz for 5 milliemes, shelen (شلن) Template:IPA-arz (i.e. a shilling) for 5 piastres, bariza (بريزة) Template:IPA-arz for 10 piastres, and reyal (ريال) Template:IPA-arz ("real") for 20 piastres. Since the piastre and millieme are no longer legal tender, the smallest denomination currently minted being the 25-piastre coin (functioning as one-quarter of one pound), these terms have mostly fallen into disuse and survive as curios. A few have survived to refer to pounds: bariza now refers to the ten-pound note and reyal can be used in reference to the 20-pound note.

Informal

Different sums of EGP have special nicknames, for example: E£1 Bolbol meaning nightingale or Gondi meaning soldier, E£1,000 bako (باكو) Template:IPA-arz "pack"; E£1,000,000 arnab (أرنب) Template:IPA-arz "rabbit"; E£1,000,000,000 feel (فيل) Template:IPA-arz "elephant".

Coins

Between 1837 and 1900, copper 1 and 5 para, silver 10p. and 20p., 1pt, 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins, gold 5pt, 10pt, 20pt and £1 coins were introduced, with gold 50pt coins following in 1839.

Copper 10p. coins were introduced in 1853, although the silver coin continued to be issued. Copper 10p coins were again introduced in 1862, followed by copper 4 para and 21⁄2 piastre coins in 1863. Gold 25 piastre coins were introduced in 1867.

In 1885, a new coinage was introduced consisting of bronze 1⁄4, 1⁄2, 1, 2 and 5 millieme, silver 1pt, 2pt, 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins. The gold coinage practically ceased, with only small numbers of 5 and 10 piastre coins issued.

In 1916 and 1917, a new base metal coinage was introduced consisting of bronze 1⁄2 millieme and holed, cupro-nickel 1, 2, 5 and 10 millieme coins. Silver 2pt, 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins continued to be issued, and a gold £1 coin was reintroduced. Between 1922 and 1923, the gold coinage was extended to include 20pt and 50pt and £1 and £5 coins. In 1924, bronze replaced cupro-nickel in the 1m. coin and the holes were removed from the other cupro-nickel coins. In 1938, bronze 5m. and 10m. coins were introduced, followed in 1944 by silver, hexagonal 2pt coins.

Between 1954 and 1956, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of aluminium-bronze 1m., 5m. and 10m. and silver 5pt, 10pt and 20pt coins, with the size of the silver coinage significantly reduced. An aluminium-bronze 2 millieme coin was introduced in 1962. In 1967 the silver coinage was abandoned and cupro-nickel 5pt and 10pt coins were introduced.

Aluminium replaced aluminium-bronze in the 1m., 5m. and 10m. coins in 1972, followed by brass in the 5m. and 10m. coins in 1973. Aluminium-bronze 2pt and cupro-nickel 20pt coins were introduced in 1980, followed by aluminium-bronze 1pt and 5pt coins in 1984. In 1992, brass 5pt and 10pt coins were introduced, followed by holed, cupro-nickel 25pt coins in 1993. The size of 5pt coins was reduced in 2004, 10pt and 25pt piastre coins - in 2008.

On June 1, 2006, 50pt and £1 coins dated 2005 were introduced, and its equivalent banknotes were temporarily phased out from circulation in 2010. The coins bear the face of Cleopatra VII and Tutankhamun's mask, and the 1 pound coin is bimetallic. The size and composition of 50pt coins was reduced in 2007.

Coins in circulation

Value	Debut	Image		Specifications					Description
		Obverse	Reverse	Diameter (mm)	Thickness (mm)	Mass (g)	Composition		Obverse	Reverse
5pt**	1984			23	1.2	4.9	Copper 95% Aluminum 5%		3 pyramids of Giza	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Value in Arabic Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic
	1992			21	1.1	3.2	Copper 92% Aluminum 8%		Islamic pottery
	2004–2008			17	1.04	2.4	Steel 94% Nickel 2% Copper plating 4%
10pt**	1984			25	1.35	5.2	Copper 75% Nickel 25%		Mosque of Muhammad Ali
	1992			23	1.2	4.9	Copper 95% Aluminum 5%
	2008			19	1.1	3.2	Steel 94% Copper 2% Nickel plating 4%
20pt**	1984			27	1.4	6	Copper 75% Nickel 25%
	1992			25	1.35	5.2	Copper 95% Aluminum 5%		Al-Azhar mosque
25pt	1993**				1.4				Islamic illustration Value in Arabic and in English	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic
	2008-22			21	1.26	4.5	Steel 94% Copper 2% Nickel plating 4%
50pt	2005			25	1.58	6.5	Copper 75% Zinc 20% Nickel 5%		Cleopatra's head Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Value in Arabic and in English
	2007-21			23	1.7		Steel 94% Nickel 2% Copper plating 4%
£1***	2005			25	1.89	8.5	Bimetal		Tutankhamun's mask	جمهورية مصر العربية ("Arab Republic of Egypt") Value in Arabic and in English Hijri and Gregorian year in Arabic
							Ring	Centre
							Copper 75% Nickel 25%	Copper 75% Zinc 20% Nickel 5%
	2007–2020				1.96		Steel 94% Copper 2% Nickel plating 4%	Steel 94% Nickel 2% Copper plating 4%

** Not in circulation as of 2008.

Banknotes

In 1899, the National Bank of Egypt introduced notes in denominations of 50pt, £1, £5, £10, £50 and £100. Between 1916 and 1917, 25pt notes were added, together with government currency notes for 5pt and 10pt. Issued intermittently, the 5pt and 10pt are today produced by the Ministry of Finance.

In 1961, the Central Bank of Egypt took over from the National Bank and issued notes in denominations of 25pt and 50pt, £1, £5 and £10. £20 notes were introduced in 1976, followed by £100 in 1978, £50 in 1993 and £200 in 2007.

All Egyptian banknotes are bilingual, with Arabic texts and Eastern Arabic numerals on the obverse, and English texts and Western Arabic numerals on the reverse. Obverse designs tend to feature an Islamic building with reverse designs featuring Ancient Egyptian motifs (buildings, statues and inscriptions). During December 2006, it was mentioned in articles in Al Ahram and Al Akhbar newspapers that there were plans to introduce £200 and £500 notes. As of 2019, there are £200 notes circulating but there are still no plans for printing £500 notes. Starting from 2011 the 25- and 50-piastre, and £1, banknotes have been phased out and replaced by more extensive use of coins. As of June 2016 the National Bank of Egypt reintroduced the E£1 banknote into circulation as well as the 25 and 50 piastre notes in response to a shortage of small change.

The governor of the Central Bank of Egypt announced that the Central Bank of Egypt will issue polymer notes by the beginning of 2021. This change comes as the CBE moves its headquarters to the new administrative capital. On July 31, 2021, the President of Egypt reviewed the £10 and £20 notes, to be issued in November 2021. In August 2021, the Central Bank was forced to confirm that rainbow holograms on the new banknotes were a secure watermarking feature to prevent counterfeiting, after online critics suggested it was a covert message of support for LGBT rights.

Current series of the Egyptian pound

Image		Value	Dimensions (millimeters)	Main color	Description		Year of first issue
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		25pt	130 × 70	Blue	Ayesha mosque	Coat of arms of Egypt	1985
		50pt	135 × 70	Brown/yellow-green	Al-Azhar Mosque	Ramesses II	1985
		£1	140 × 70	Beige	Mosque and mausoleum of Qaitbay	Abu Simbel temples	1978
		£5	145 × 70	Bluish-green	Mosque of Ibn Tulun	A Pharaonic engraving of Hapi (god of the annual flooding of the Nile) offering bounties.	1981
		£10	150 × 70	Pink	Al Rifa'i Mosque	Khafre Enthroned	2003
		£20	155 × 70	Green	Mosque of Muhammad Ali	A Pharaonic war chariot and frieze from the chapel of Senusret I	1978
		£50	160 × 70	Brownish-red	Abu Hurayba Mosque (Qijmas al-Ishaqi Mosque)	Temple of Edfu	1993
		£100	165 × 70	Cyan	Sultan Hassan Mosque	Great Sphinx of Giza	1994
		£200	165 × 72	Olive	Mosque of Qani-Bay	The Seated Scribe	2007

Historical and current exchange rates

Pound sterling

This table shows the value of one pound sterling in Egyptian pounds:

US dollar

This table shows the historical value of 1.00 US dollar in Egyptian pounds:

See also

• Economy of Egypt
• British currency in the Middle East

References

1. Cuhaj, George S., ed. (2009). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money Specialized Issues (11 ed.). Krause. p. 1070. ISBN 978-1-4402-0450-0.
2. Markus A. Denzel (2010). Handbook of World Exchange Rates, 1590-1914. Ashgate Publishing. p. 599. ISBN 978-0-7546-0356-6. The piastre of 1839 contained 1.146 grammes of fine silver, the piastre of 1801 approximately 4.6 grammes of fine silver. The most important Egyptian coins, the bedidlik in gold (= 100 piastres; 7.487 grammes of fine gold) and the rial in silver (20 piastres; 23.294 grammes of fine silver)
3. Feteha, Ahmed; Shahine, Alaa (3 November 2016). "Egypt Free Floats Pound, Raises Lending Rates to Spur Economy". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
4. "CBE not to impose restrictions on foreign currency exchange". Egypt Independent. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
5. "Developments of Note Issue". 10 December 2004. Archived from the original on 10 December 2004. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
6. "Coins from Egypt – Numista".
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Devaluation Of Egyptian Pound Devaluation Status

Bibliography

• Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1991). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801–1991 (18th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873411501.
• Pick, Albert (1994). Bruce, Colin R. II; Shafer, Neil (eds.). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues (7th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.

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