Iran 1971 500 rials
The first specimen was part of lot 30947 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), which sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Iran: Muhammad Reza Pahlavi 4-Piece Uncertified gold Proof Set SH 1350 (1971), 1) "Griffin" 500 Rials; 2) "Gori & Zucchi" 750 Rials, KM 1190; 3) "Pillared Palace" 1000 Rials; 4) "2500th Anniversary" 2000 Rials; A bright set of issues displaying a full cameo effect, each coin exhibiting light areas of hairlines in the fields, noted for accuracy. Sold with case of issue and COA. Total AGW 1.6022 oz." The second specimen was lot 1360 in Stephen Album sale 38 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2020), where it sold for $505.75. The catalog description[2] noted, "IRAN: Muhammad Reza Shah, 1941-1979, AV 500 rials, 1971/SH1350, 2500th Anniversary of the Persian Empire // walking griffin with ram antlers, Proof, ex Dabestani Collection." This commemorative, honoring the 2500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, is accompanied by silver 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 rials (KM 1184-1188) and gold 750, 1000 and 2000 rials (KM 1190, KM 1191, KM 1192). The megalomaniac shah did not do anything small.
Recorded mintage: 11,000 proofs.
Specification: 6.51 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-109, KM 1189, KM-PS2 (set).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
- [2]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 38, featuring the Dabestani Collection of Persian Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.
Link to:
- SH 1349 (1970) ½ pahlavi
- SH 1350/1971 25 rials, 2500th Anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350/1971 50 rials, 2500th Anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350/1971 75 rials, 2500th Anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350/1971 100 rials, 2500th Anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350/1971 200 rials, 2500th Anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350/1971 750 rials, 2500th Anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350/1971 1000 rials, 2500th anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350/1971 2000 rials, 2500th anniversary of Persepolis
- SH 1350 ½ pahlavi
- SH 1350 pahlavi
- SH 1351 (1972) rial, F.A.O.
- Coins and currency dated 1971