1971 Republic 5 Piastres

This 5 Piastres coin from 1971 was struck in aluminum, a cost-cutting switch for Egypt that reflected the economic strains following the republic's early years.

That material choice meant it weighed in at just 1.2 grams, making it lighter than its predecessors and easier to produce in bulk. The obverse features the Egyptian coat of arms, with a pyramid and the Nile dam; the reverse shows the denomination and date. Minted in Cairo, these coins circulated widely until 1984, when newer designs took over. We don't know the exact mintage figures—they weren't always recorded meticulously back then.

One oddity: aluminum coins like this one sometimes fooled street vendors, who might have mistaken them for something more valuable.