Obverse. Photo © currencypalace
  • 10 Pounds 2022, Egypt, Holy Family in Egypt
  • 10 Pounds 2022, Egypt, Holy Family in Egypt
Description

When the Magi came in search of Jesus, they went to Herod the Great in Jerusalem to ask where to find the newborn "King of the Jews". Herod became paranoid that the child would threaten his throne, and sought to kill him. Herod initiated the Massacre of the Innocents in hopes of killing the child. But an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him to take Jesus and his mother into Egypt.

Egypt was a logical place to find refuge, as it was outside the dominions of King Herod, but both Egypt and Judea were part of the Roman Empire, linked by a coastal road known as "the way of the sea", making travel between them easy and relatively safe. After the death of Herod in 4 BC, the holy family returned from Egypt.

Obverse

Depicts the Coptic icon of the Holy Family (the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph) in Egypt. The Holy Family sitting in an Egyptian papyrus boat that is sailing on the River Nile. They are guarded by an angel. Jesus is possibly two years old here and is dressed in a long tunic. In the background, one sees the lotus plants, an Egyptian temple, and pyramids. The inscription "Holy Family in Egypt" above.

Engraver: Ahmed Kamal

HOLY FAMILY
IN EGYPT
Ahmed Kamal

Reverse

State name in Arabic above, denomination below, year of issue in Gregorian and Hijri calendar years (both in Arabic) and inscription "Holy family in Egypt" with Coptic calendar year (1738 C) within a circle in the middle.

The Coptic calendar, also called the Alexandrian calendar, is a liturgical calendar used by the Coptic Orthodox Church and also used by the farming populace in Egypt. It was used for fiscal purposes in Egypt until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar on 11 September (6 Nesi) 1875.

جمهورية مصر العربية
العائلة المقدسة
في
مصر
١٧٣٨ ق
عشرة جنيهات
١٤٤٣هـ ٢٠٢٢م

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.720
Weight 20 g
Diameter 37.5 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Cairo Mint

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