Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 10 Pounds 1964, KM# 409, Egypt, Diversion of the Nile
  • 10 Pounds 1964, KM# 409, Egypt, Diversion of the Nile
Description

The United Arab Republic (UAR) was a short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria. The union began in 1958 and existed until 1961, when Syria seceded from the union after the 1961 Syrian coup d'état. Egypt continued to be known officially as the "United Arab Republic" until 1971. The president was Gamal Abdel Nasser. It was a member of the United Arab States, a loose confederation with North Yemen which in 1961 dissolved along with the Republic.

Obverse

Depicts Aswan Dam, a power station and a scene of the river Nile basin with sun raises behind. A power station goes out from the High Dam. The inscription "Commemoration of Diversion of the Nile river" below, date "May 15 of 1964" above.

On 14 May 1964, Egypt's second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev marked the first stage of construction of the Aswan High Dam by diverting the course of the Nile River.

The Aswan Dam, or more specifically since the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam, is the world's largest embankment dam, which was built across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt, between 1960 and 1970. Its significance largely eclipsed the previous Aswan Low Dam initially completed in 1902 downstream. Based on the success of the Low Dam, then at its maximum utilization, construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952; with its ability to better control flooding, provide increased water storage for irrigation and generate hydroelectricity the dam was seen as pivotal to Egypt's planned industrialization. Like the earlier implementation, the High Dam has had a significant effect on the economy and culture of Egypt. The Aswan Dam was designed by the Moscow-based Hydroproject Institute.

١٥ مايو ١٩٦٤
تذكار تحويل مجرى النهر النيل

Reverse

Denomination divides dates (Hegira and Gregorian), legend "United Arab Republic" above.

الجمهورية العربية المتحدة
عشرة
جنيهات
١٣٨٤ ١٩٦٤

Edge

10 Pounds

United Arab Republic
KM# 409 Fr# 46
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.875
Weight 52 g
Diameter 40 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Cairo Mint

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