Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 20 Qirsh 1985, KM# 596, Egypt, 25th Anniversary of Cairo International Airport
  • 20 Qirsh 1985, KM# 596, Egypt, 25th Anniversary of Cairo International Airport
Description

Cairo International Airport is the principal international airport of Cairo and the busiest airport in Egypt and serves as the primary hub for EgyptAir and Nile Air as well as several other airlines. The airport is located in Heliopolis, to the northeast of Cairo around 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the business area of the city and has an area of approximately 37 square kilometres (14 sq mi). It is the second busiest airport in Africa after OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Cairo International Airport history started in the forties of the last century when the American Bayn Field air-force base was established five kilometers far from Almaza Airport to serve the Alliance during the Second World War. The American forces left the base by the end of the war.

In 1945, the Civil Aviation Authority took over the base and allocated it to the International Civil Aviation. The Airport was called "King Farouk 1st Airport". In the meantime, Almaza Airport was dedicated to the domestic flights.

Obverse

Depicts mirrored eagle in-flight adapted from ancient Egyptian art, the inscriptions "Cairo International Port" in Arabic above and "Cairo International Airport" in English below. Designer's mark below.

The eagle in the Pharaonic civilization used to symbolize the goddess Nekhbet, who was the eagle deity and represented Upper Egypt, which extends to Aswan. She was considered the protector of the Pharaoh; her extended wings always appeared as a sign of protection.

Nekhbet (also spelt Nekhebit) was an early predynastic local goddess in Egyptian mythology, who was the patron of the city of Nekheb (her name meaning of Nekheb). Ultimately, she became the patron of Upper Egypt and one of the two patron deities for all of Ancient Egypt when it was unified.

ميناء القاهرة الدولي
CAIRO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Reverse

Denomination in mirrored stylized flowers, dates (Hegira and Gregorian) below, calligraphic art state name "Arab Republic of Egypt" in the centre.

عشرون قرشا
جمهورية مصر العربية
١٤٠٥ - ١٩٨٥

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 6 g
Diameter 27 mm
Thickness 1.52 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Cairo Mint

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