Iran SH1332 1/4 pahlavi
This specimen was lot 4299 in Sincona sale 67 (Zürich, October 2020), where it sold for 1,200 CHF (about US$1,580 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"IRAN | Pahlavi Dynasty | Muhammad Rezâ Shâh, 1320-1358 ShH./1941-1979 AD, Gold coinage. 1/4 Pahlavi 1332 ShH/1954 AD. Head to left with name and title above, date below, rev. crowned lion and sun above value in wreath, low relief head. Very rare date. Uncirculated."
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 1332 = 1953 AD. In 1931 the system was reformed and 100 dinars = one rial. This type was struck SH 1330-1353 for the shah. The diameter was increased from 14 mm to 16 mm in SH 1336. 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: unknown.
Specification: 2.03 g, 0.900 fine gold, 14 mm diameter, this specimen 2.02 g.
Catalog reference: KM 1160.
- 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.
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