How to Identify the Egyptian 1 Pound

Begin with the reverse legend. The clearest diagnostic on this coin is the English phrase 'WORLD FOOD DAY' set with standing figures and sheaves of wheat. That combination places the piece firmly in the 1981 FAO commemorative theme and separates it from Egypt's many other commemorative and circulation designs of the era.

Confirm the date. Look for 1981 on the coin, usually paired with the Hijri year AH 1401. Egyptian issues of this period commonly show both calendars, so seeing a Gregorian and an Arabic-numeral Hijri date together is normal and expected. If only a different year appears, you are likely looking at a related but distinct commemorative.

Read the obverse for the denomination. Although these photos show only the reverse, the other face should carry Arabic legends naming the Arab Republic of Egypt and stating one pound. Do not assume the denomination from the reverse alone: Egypt struck several values on similar agricultural themes, so the Arabic value statement is what fixes it as a 1 Pound.

Check metal and weight to rule out the silver version. This example is cupro-nickel, a silvery-gray base-metal alloy that is comparatively light and non-magnetic, with a duller sheen than silver. Egypt's parallel silver commemorative pounds of the early 1980s are noticeably heavier and brighter; weighing the coin and comparing against a reference for the cupro-nickel type is the surest way to separate the base-metal issue from the precious-metal one.

Be cautious with condition and authenticity. Because these are collector-oriented commemoratives, most surviving pieces show little wear, so heavy circulation wear can be a warning sign worth a second look. Watch for cleaned or polished surfaces, and when metal or weight seem inconsistent with a genuine cupro-nickel strike, compare against catalog specifications or consult a specialist before assuming it is the precious-metal variant.