Iran SH1329 1/2 pahlavi
The first specimen was lot 4309 in Sincona sale 67 (Zürich, October 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"IRAN | Pahlavi Dynasty | Muhammad Rezâ Shâh, 1320-1358 ShH./1941-1979 AD, Gold coinage. 1/2 Pahlavi 1329 ShH/1950 AD. Head to left with name and title above, date below, rev. crowned lion and sun above value in wreath, high relief head. Rare date. Polished proof dies, extremely fine."
The second specimen was lot 2920 in Sincona Auction 101 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,281 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"IRAN Pahlavi Dynasty, Muhammad Reza Shah, 1320-1358 SH (1941-1979). 1/2 Pahlavi 1329 SH (1950), Tehran Mint. Sehr selten. Nur 75 Exemplare geprägt, Very rare. Only 75 specimens struck. PCGS MS66. Das neben einem weiteren durch PCGS höchstbewertete Exemplar, Tied with one other for finest certified by PCGS."
When Reza Shah seized the throne in 1925, he adopted the solar Hegira calendar, which used the Gregorian calendar but deducted 621 years. Thus, SH 1329 = 1950 AD. In 1931 the system was reformed and 100 dinars = one rial. This type was struck SH 1324-1330 for the young shah, Reza Shah having been forced into exile for being too cozy with the Nazis. The pahlavi matched the British sovereign in gold content. As the pahlavi was always sold at its gold price, it had no fixed ratio to the rial.
Recorded mintage: 75.
Specification: 4.07 g, 0.900 fine gold, the first specimen 4.07 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-102, KM 1149.
- 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]Jürg Richter, Auction 67, Persian Coins and Medals, World Orders and Decorations, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2020.
- [2]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 101: World Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Swiss Confederate Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Shooting Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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