Named after the iconic Chicken Street — or "Koch-e Murgha" — in Kabul, Chicken Street Trading Co. is an online store bringing the essence of this famous market street directly to collectors around the world.
Chicken Street has long been renowned for its offerings of antiques, carpets, gemstones, handicrafts, and old coins. It is a place where history has always changed hands.
The Hippie Trail and Chicken Street's Golden Era
In the post-World War II era, as a period of relative global tranquility took hold, a new kind of traveler emerged. Adventurous young people from Western Europe embarked on lengthy overland journeys to South and Southeast Asia — a route that came to be known as the hippie trail. Afghanistan was one of its most memorable stops.
In Kabul, these travelers would descend on Chicken Street, browsing for hand-embroidered coats, lapis lazuli bracelets, exotic souvenirs, and supplies for the road ahead. For a brief and remarkable window of time, Chicken Street was one of the most cosmopolitan market streets in Asia — a crossroads where East and West met over tea and trade.
That era came to an abrupt end with the Saur Revolution of 1978 and the subsequent Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, plunging the country into over four decades of conflict. For two generations, the doors of Chicken Street were effectively closed to the outside world.
A New Chapter
In the years following the American and allied military drawdown in 2021, Afghanistan has experienced a degree of stability it had not seen in the new millennium. The shops of Chicken Street are open again. Afghans are rebuilding. And the world is slowly rediscovering what was always there.
Chicken Street Trading Co. was established in that spirit — to bring the essence of Chicken Street to collectors everywhere through e-commerce, at a time when Afghan culture and history are ready to be shared with the world again.
Who We Are
Nezami Money has been buying, selling, and dealing in rare currency and collectibles since 2014. As the business grew over the years, it became clear that the numismatic and collectibles side deserved its own dedicated home. In 2022, Chicken Street Trading Co. was established as the collectibles division of Nezami Money — built specifically around coins, banknotes, and the history behind them.
This online store is that home. If you are a returning customer, welcome back. If you are finding us for the first time, we are glad you are here.
What We Offer
Chicken Street Trading Co. serves as a hub for an ever-expanding assortment of collectibles sourced from Afghanistan and beyond. We carry a strong selection of coins and banknotes, with plans to diversify our offerings over time — mirroring the eclectic selection you would find walking down Chicken Street itself. Afghan and Islamic coins, world currency, stamps, documents, antiques, and handicrafts are all part of the long-term vision.
Looking ahead, we also intend to establish a physical presence in Kabul, with the goal of sourcing inventory directly from the heart of Chicken Street. That dream remains on the horizon and we look forward to sharing that chapter when it comes.
Follow Along
You can find us here at ChickenStreetTrading.com, on Instagram, and on various selling platforms such as eBay, as we continue to grow. We will be sharing new inventory, writing about the history behind the coins and collectibles we carry, and building a community around Afghan and Islamic numismatics.
Whether you are a longtime customer or finding us for the first time, we hope you find something worth collecting.