Egypt, 100 Piastres, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 1) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This small lithograph was created by W. Duke, Sons & Co., around the turn of the 20th century. It comes from a series of cigarette cards titled ‘Coins of All Nations.’ The composition is striking: we see a mounted Egyptian figure, but instead of armor, he carries an oversized coin as a shield. The color palette is muted, dominated by earthy tones, which gives the piece a somewhat aged or antiquated feel. This aesthetic choice highlights the contrast between the exoticism of the subject and the mundane context of cigarette advertising. The card uses the visual language of orientalism, a Western style for depicting the East. It presents Egypt through romantic stereotypes rather than reality. Here, the coin itself is the central object, symbolizing value and exchange. The image serves not only to advertise but also to construct a certain idea about Egypt and its currency. The card invites us to reflect on the way cultural symbols are used in commercial contexts and how these representations can shape our understanding of the world.