Abstract: A read and write drive system is disclosed for a 21/2D coincident current magnetic core memory of the type in which for each word bit, bit lines threaded through the magnetic cores are arranged in a matrix of M groups, each of N bit lines. The drive system includes for the bit line matrix of each word bit a separate set of M write drive switches, and for n matrices of n different word bits, wherein n .gtoreq. 2, M read sink switches, N read drive switches and N write sink switches. These switches are used to apply 1/2 drive current through selected bit lines, during the read operation, to read out the n word bits of a selected word and to apply 1/2 drive current to independently store either a binary 1 or a binary 0 in each of the n word bits. The total number of switches, required for n word bits, is M(n+1) + 2N switches.