Iran SH1326 pahlavi

Sincona sale 67, lot 4327

This specimen was lot 4327 in Sincona sale 67 (Zurich, October 2020), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$527 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"IRAN | Pahlavi Dynasty | Muhammad Rezâ Shâh, 1320-1358 ShH./1941-1979 AD, Gold coinage. 1 Pahlavi 1326 ShH/1947 AD. Head to left with name and title above, date below, rev. crowned lion and sun above value in wreath, high relief head. NGC MS65."

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 1326 = 1947 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: 151,000.

Specification: 8.14 g, 0.900 fine gold, this specimen 8.14 g.

Catalog reference: Fr-101, KM 1150.

Source:

• 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, Zurich: Sincona AG, 2020.

Link to:

• SH 1324 (1945) ½ pahlavi
• SH 1325 (1946) pahlavi
• SH 1326 10 rials
• SH 1326 ½ pahlavi
• SH 1327 (1948) rial
• SH 1328 (1949) pahlavi
• SH 1329 (1950) ½ pahlavi
• SH 1330 (1951) pahlavi, high relief head
• Coins and currency dated 1947