Iran AH 1038 1/8 mohur

Sincona sale 88, lot 6

This specimen was lot 6 in Sincona sale 88 (Zurich, May 2024), where it sold for 5,750 CHF (about US$7,598 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"IRAN, Safavid Dynasty, Safi I. 1038-1052 AH (1629-1642). 1/8 Mohur Ashrafi 1038 AH (1629), Isfahan Mint. Unikat Unique. NGC MS64. Purchased from A. Shams, Frankfurt, in 1983. The only known gold coin of Safi I. It was struck in Isfahan in the year of his enthronement. No other gold coins of any mint are attributed to Safi I."

Wikipedia comments, "Sam Mirza (Persian: سام میرزا c.1611-1642), known by his dynastic name of Shah Safi (Persian: شاه صفی), was the sixth shah of Safavid Iran, ruling from 1629 to 1642. Abbas the Great was succeeded by his grandson, Safi. A reclusive and passive character, Safi was unable to fill the power vacuum which his grandfather had left behind. His officials undermined his authority and revolts constantly broke out across the realm. The continuing war with the Ottoman Empire...ended with the humiliating defeat of Iran...."

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: gold, this specimen 1.34 g.

Catalog reference: Album unlisted, KM unlisted.

Source:

• Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
• Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014..
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 88, The Kian Collection - Part II, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2024.

Link to:

• AH 1032 (1622) abbasi, Tiflis mint
• Iran AH 1033 bisti Baghdad mint
• AH 1040 (1630) abbasi, Tabriz mint
• AH 1040 (1630) abbasi, Tiflis mint
• Coins and currency dated 1628