Iran SH1353 1/2 pahlavi

Sincona sale 83, lot 2940

This specimen was lot 2940 in Sincona sale 83 (Zurich, May 2023), where it sold for 250 CHF (about US$335 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Shah, 1320-1358 SH (1941-1979). 1/2 Pahlavi 1353 SH (1974), Fast FDC (About 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 1330-1353 during the reign of Muhammed Reza Shah (r. 1941-79), was minted to the standard of a British half sovereign. The relief was lowered in 1951 to reduce persistent striking weakness. As the pahlavi was always sold at its gold price, it had no fixed ratio to the rial.

Recorded mintage: unknown but common.

Specification: 4.06 g, 0.900 fine gold, 0.117 troy oz AGW, this specimen 4.07 g.

Catalog reference: KM 1161, Fr-102.

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]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2023.

Link to:

• SH 1349 (1970) ½ pahlavi
• SH 1353 (1974) pahlavi
• Iran SH1353 5 pahlavi
• SH 1354 (1975) ½ pahlavi
• Coins and currency dated 1974