Iran MS2536 pahlavi

Goldberg sale 128, lot 1494

This specimen was lot 1494 in Goldberg sale 128 (Los Angeles, June 2022), where it sold for $600. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Iran. 1 Pahlavi, MS2536 (1977). Mohammad Reza Pahlevi. Pop 3; 1 finer in 67. PCGS graded MS-66." 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. The shah was overthrown in 1979 and he died the next year. The "MS" calendar, used briefly in the late seventies, seems to have been tied to the old Persian Empire and not the shah's ancestors, who were nomad bandits.

Recorded mintage: unknown but common.

Specification: 8.136 g, .900 fine gold, .2354 troy oz AGW.

Catalog reference: Fr-101; KM-1200.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• 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.
• ^[1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, John Lavender, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 128: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2022.

Link to:

• MS 2535 (1976) 10 pahlavi
• MS 2536 (1977) ½ pahlavi
• Coins and currency dated 1977