Where to buy new coins in Egypt?

Dear numismatists,

Does anybody know where to buy commemorative coins (1 Pound, 50 Qirsh) being in Egypt? I'm interested in new issues. And what is the price? Are they available for a face value?

Is it at National Bank of Egypt or maybe at the post office?

Hello Alcest, sorry for the late response, there is an outlet at the Egyptian mint authority in Abbasia, but more conveniently, I suggest  you can go to downtown Cairo there is a coin shop called “3omlaty“ ( my coins ) 

https://www.facebook.com/3omlaty?mibextid=LQQJ4d.

there is also Diana market place gathering on Saturday’s   in down town area. 

There was a similar thread once: https://en.numista.com/forum/topic84180.html

Thank you for your answers. I will try to visit these places. 👍

Yes, numinis, there was another thread and 9 out of 10 comments over there were useless. Lots of members chiming in without any experience buying coins in Egypt and a couple insulting comments about Shariah law…

Dr_Teek offers great advice here in this thread and I wish I'd thought to ask before my trip. I checked that facebook page and the place looks legit. If they don't have modern commems that alcest is looking for, then I bet they'll know where to look.

I was in Egypt a few years ago. It was after the coup and the revolution so we couldn't always find what we were looking for. I never came across a dedicated coin shop. Lots of silver and gold, but not a coin shop per se. Again, I wish I'd thought to ask here for advice because the place Dr_Teek mentioned looks great.

But alcest is just looking for modern commems and these will be easier to find. Large hotels always had large gift shops and some might have coin sets like those you seek. I was in Egypt for a month and never came across a coin set, but like I said it was a few years ago, maybe you will have more luck. And a concierge at any large hotel will be able to find a coin shop if asked (and a few dollars baksheesh is always welcome).

However, some good news: I did come home with some modern Egypt coins at face value! I got some very nice 1-pound coins at the Metro kiosk (fare was 1-pound) and I got some other modern coins at a large bank when I exchanged money. If all you want is circulating coinage, I'd ask at a large bank, they have them but they might not think you want them. Just ask! If you're looking for particular commems check the coin shop mentioned above and then ask a concierge at any large hotel. They can find almost anything.

PS: I read conflicting info in another forum: some said that all coins minted before the 1952 Revolution are state property, others said no it was 1867 or so when the Pasha took over. Shouldn't matter to alcest but it was an interesting discussion.

well to my knowledge according to the Egyptian law there is a difference between historical coins and old coins, historical coins are before modern Egypt 150 years ago, ( Islamic coinage for instance mamluk state which is around 1800s ), most collectors in Egypt collect within the last 150 years with no problem. 

As TCon said the other thread mentioned is useless,  and I am sorry to say it's a joke …… no one cuts any hands in Egypt 😂. 

I am sure“3omlaty” coin shop have modern silver commemorative coins, however if you are going to Diana gatherings on Saturdays in downtown, I highly recommend - it is a must - having a translator, most of the people there speak Arabic only.

There is another option, but only possible unfortunately for Arabic speakers which is Facebook Auction and direct sell pages, i.e. Victoria group for coins https://www.facebook.com/groups/1030496000356801 where multiple unofficial vendors sell on it. The good thing about it that its very famous within the collectors community in Egypt, thus any fake coin posted is pointed out and removed and the seller usually is banned for life from the group. The bad thing is that the price of coins may be variable and without knowledge you can easily be tricked in paying more premium.

Thank you for an answer. To be honest modern commem coins from Egypt are quite easy to get in Poland but of course in higher prices. It would be nice to get some coins for a face value.