Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 5 Pounds 1994, KM# 827, Egypt, Pharaonic Treasure / Ancient Egyptian Art, Pharaoh Khufu
  • 5 Pounds 1994, KM# 827, Egypt, Pharaonic Treasure / Ancient Egyptian Art, Pharaoh Khufu
Description

Khufu or Cheops was an ancient Egyptian monarch who was the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, in the first half of the Old Kingdom period (26th century BC). Khufu succeeded his father Sneferu as king. He is generally accepted as having commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but many other aspects of his reign are poorly documented.

The only completely preserved portrait of the king is a three-inch high ivory figurine found in a temple ruin of a later period at Abydos in 1903. All other reliefs and statues were found in fragments, and many buildings of Khufu are lost. Everything known about Khufu comes from inscriptions in his necropolis at Giza and later documents. For example, Khufu is the main character noted in the Westcar Papyrus from the 13th dynasty.

Obverse

Depicts seated King Khufu.

The Khufu Statuette known as the “Ivory figurine of Khufu” is an ancient statue of King Khufu and is the only statue that is left that describes his existence; this statue was found in 1903 by Sir William Matthew Flinders Patrie during the excavation of Kom-el-Sultan in Abydos, Egypt.

The size of the Khufu statue is 7.5 cm high, 2.9 cm long and 2.6 cm deep.

The king is seated on a throne that is decorated on both sides with his name inscribed inside the Serekh, or rectangular frame. Without the surviving name on the right side, it would have been impossible to attribute the statuette to Khufu.

The king is depicted wearing the Red Deshret Crown of Lower Egypt and the Shendyt, a royal, short pleated kilt. He holds in his right hand the ceremonial flail, symbol of authority. The statuette was discovered in two pieces. First, the body was found and, then, three weeks later, the head was discovered.

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".

5 ٥ جمهورية مصر العربية
LE جـ
A.R.E.
1415 1994 ECC ١٤١٥ ١٩٩٤

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 22.5 g
Diameter 39 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mexican Mint (Mo)

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