Iran SH1354 5 pahlavi
This specimen was lot 2942 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 2,400 CHF (about US$3,212 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "IRAN. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Shah, 1320-1358 SH (1941-1979). 5 Pahlavi 1354 SH (1975), Vorzüglich-FDC (Extremely fine-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 1353 = 1974 AD. In 1931 the system was reformed and 100 dinars = one rial. This type, struck SH 1354-1358 during the reign of Muhammed Reza Shah (r. 1941-79), was minted to the standard of a British five pounds. As the pahlavi was always sold at its gold price, it had no fixed ratio to the rial.
Recorded mintage: 10,000.
Specification: 40.67 g, 0.900 fine gold, 1.177 troy oz AGW, this specimen 40.57 g.
Catalog reference: KM 1202, Fr-99.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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