Iran SH1355 pahlavi
This specimen was lot 76603 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $690. The catalog description[1] noted, "IRAN. Pahlavi, SH 1355 (1976). Tehran Mint. Muhammad Reza Pahlavi. PCGS MS-66. This entrancing and enticing premium Gem delivers attractive golden luster, with soft sunny luster and strong eye appeal." 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 1355 = 1976 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 sovereign. Gold half (Fr-102), 2½ (Fr-100), five (Fr-99) and ten pahlavis (Fr-98) also exist. As the pahlavi was always sold at its gold price, it had no fixed ratio to the rial.
Recorded mintage: 203,000.
Specification: 8.13 g, 0.900 fine gold, 22 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-101; KM-1200.
- 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, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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