all egyptian banknotes are bilingual, with arabic texts and eastern arabic numerals on the obverse, and english texts and western arabic numerals on the reverse. obverse designs tend to feature an islamic building with reverse designs featuring ancient egyptian motifs (buildings, statues and inscriptions). during december 2006, it was mentioned in articles in "al ahram" and "al akhbar" newspapers that there were plans to introduce £200 and £500 notes. as of 2019, there are £200 notes circulating but there are still no plans for making £500 notes. starting from 2011 the 25, 50 piastres and £1 banknotes have been phased out and replaced by more extensive use of coins. as of june 2016 the national bank of egypt reintroduced the £1 banknote into circulation as well as the 25 and 50 piastres notes in response to a shortage of small change.