Inside the hallowed halls of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, a new temporary exhibition offers an evocative tribute to Dr. Abdel Mohsen El-Khachab, Egypt’s pioneering numismatist, whose work continues to shape the field of archaeology and the study of ancient coins.
Running until mid-February, the exhibition showcases the significant contributions of Dr. El-Khachab, who not only established Egypt as a leading hub for numismatic studies but also left a legacy that continues to resonate in the academic and archaeological communities. Through his tireless work, Dr. El-Khachab bridged the past and present, illustrating how ancient coins provide an invaluable lens through which to view historical events and shifts.
“Dr. El-Khachab wasn’t just Egypt’s first specialized numismatist; he revolutionized the way we study and protect coin collections, using these objects to tell the stories of civilizations long past,” says Heba Sami, supervisor of temporary exhibitions at the museum.
Born in Cairo in January 1906, El-Khachab’s insatiable curiosity began early in life. After completing his education at the Khedivial Secondary School, he pursued ancient studies at Fouad I University (now Cairo University), earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1927. His academic career culminated in a PhD in 1947, but it was his passion for numismatics—the study of coins and currency—that would define his life’s work.
El-Khachab’s groundbreaking career took shape when he became the first Egyptian curator tasked with overseeing the coin collections at the Egyptian Museum. Through his meticulous work, he documented Egypt’s numismatic history, creating a bridge between the past and future with each coin he catalogued. In 1948, he was promoted to director of the museum’s library, where he reorganized its collection and authored a seminal catalogue that remains a crucial reference for researchers.
One of the most notable achievements featured in the exhibit is El-Khachab’s work with the Qubba Palace Collection, a rare group of gold coins he brought to the museum and studied in depth. These coins, which include images of King Ptolemy II and his wife, Queen Berenice II, and others from the Greco-Roman site of Kom Trougah, reflect the rich history that El-Khachab helped uncover during his excavations. His efforts also unearthed coins bearing the likeness of Emperor Hadrian and many other historical figures, further deepening Egypt’s numismatic story.
The exhibit includes coins that reflect Egypt’s political and economic past, such as a dinar from the Tulunid dynasty bearing the name of Harun ibn Khumarawayh. Another standout is a coin depicting Emperor Trajan, a symbol of Egypt’s complex interactions with the Roman Empire.
Beyond his archaeological work, El-Khachab’s scholarly contributions are also on display, with various indexes, catalogues, and volumes he authored that continue to serve as essential resources for modern numismatists and historians.
Though he retired in 1963, El-Khachab’s passion for numismatics did not wane. In his later years, he continued to write and translate works that bridged ancient history with the modern world. His death may have occurred decades ago, but his contributions live on, deeply woven into the fabric of Egyptology and the study of ancient currencies.
As visitors move through the exhibit, they encounter not only coins but also the intellectual journey of one of Egypt’s foremost scholars. From the intricate engravings of Roman-period coins to the marble treasures from the Al-Montazah Palace Collection, the exhibition offers a deeper understanding of Egypt’s numismatic heritage.
