Iran AH 1272 1/2 toman KM-860

Sincona sale 88, lot 207

This specimen was lot 207 in Sincona sale 88 (Zurich, May 2024), where it sold for 3,000 CHF (about US$3,964 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"IRAN, Qajar Dynasty, Naser al-Din Shah, 1264-1313 (1848-1896). 1/2 Toman 1272 AH (1856), Tehran Mint. Bust in profile. Sehr selten; Very rare. NGC MS61. Purchased from M. Abgarians, Glendale, California, in 1987."

This gold denomination, tho less common than the toman, was struck at numerous mints in the beginning of the reign of Nasir al-Din Shah. This style is listed from Tehran for AH 1272 only, the bust obverse makes it rare. This example realized ten times the catalog value.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 1.72 g, gold, this specimen 1.73 g.

Catalog reference: Album 2926, KM 860.

Source:

• Album, Stephen, Checklist of Islamic Coins, 3rd Ed. Santa Rosa, Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2011.
• 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, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 88, The Kian Collection - Part II, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2024.

Link to:

• AH 1271 toman, Qazvin mint
• AH 1271 toman, Tehran mint
• AH 1271 2 toman, Isfahan mint, shah seated
• AH 1271 2 toman, Kirmanshahan mint
• AH 1272 toman, Tabaristan mint
• AH 1272 toman, Rasht mint
• AH 1273 half kran, Tehran mint
• AH 1273 kran, Astarabad mint
• AH 1273 half toman, Isfahan mint
• Coins and currency dated 1855