Iran MS2536 1/4 pahlavi
This specimen was lot 33350 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2024), where it sold for $288. The catalog description[1] noted, "IRAN. 1/4 Pahlavi, MS 2536 (1977). Tehran Mint. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. NGC MS-67. A Superb-Gem example of the type with flashy luster and needle sharp details." The Qajar empire was nearly bankrupt by the end of the 1800’s, and the dynasty finally fell when Reza Khan, a commander of the Persian Cossack Brigade, led a coup d’etat and launched the Pahlavi Dynasty in 1925 AD. This type was struck SH 1353-1358 and MS 2536-2537 and is common. Gold half (Fr-102), one (Fr-101), 2½ (Fr-100), five (Fr-99) and ten pahlavis also exist. As the pahlavi was always sold at its gold price, it had no fixed ratio to the rial. The shah was overthrown in 1979 and he died the next year. The "MS" calendar, used briefly in the late seventies, seems to have been tied to the old Persian Empire and not the shah's ancestors, who were nomad bandits.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.03 g, 0.900 fine gold, 0.0589 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-104; KM-1198.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
Link to: