Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 50 Pounds 1994, KM# 877, Egypt, Pharaonic Treasure / Ancient Egyptian Art, Statue of Seated Scribe
  • 50 Pounds 1994, KM# 877, Egypt, Pharaonic Treasure / Ancient Egyptian Art, Statue of Seated Scribe
Description

The statue of Seated Scribe from the 5th Dynasty, 24th Century BC was found in a tomb at Saqqara in 1893. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. It is made out of painted limestone and depicts an unknown scribe. He is sitting in a cross-legged position and wearing a black wig that slightly flares up off his shoulders. His white skirt is stretched out and serves as a platform for the scroll. In his left hand, he is holding a partly unrolled papyrus roll. His right hand probably held a stylus or reed and is balanced over the open papyrus in the act of writing.

Obverse

Depicts the statue of Seated Scribe.

He wears a wig with a central parting as was fashionable in the Old Kingdom, and his eyes are inlaid to express his wisdom and the depth of his psyche. His gaze gives one the impression that he is meditating and thinking about what he will write so that he appears to be at the very moment of the inspiration and creation of intellectual work. His wig doesn't fully cover his ears to help him hear clearer.

The ancient Egyptian name indicating the scribe was sš. The traditional position for most scribes in ancient Egypt is crossing legs and pen in hand and papyrus on his legs.

Reverse

Stylized state name (Arab Republic of Egypt) divides denomination in Arabic and English and abbreviation of state name (A.R.E.) below, the date in Arabic (Hijri) and Western (Georgian) divides by a vulture with open wings. Engraver's initials (ECC) below.

In Ancient Egypt, the vulture hieroglyph was the uniliteral sign used for the glottal sound (/ɑː/). The bird was held sacred to Isis in ancient Egyptian religion. The use of the vulture as a symbol of royalty in Egyptian culture and their protection by Pharaonic law made the species common on the streets of Egypt and gave rise to the name "pharaoh's chicken".

50 ٥٠ جمهورية مصر العربية
LE جـ
A.R.E.
1415 1994 ECC ١٤١٥ ١٩٩٤

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.875
Weight 26 g
Diameter 24 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mexican Mint (Mo)

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