Pahlavi 20 Rial Commemorative

Historical context — Pahlavi Dynasty

Reza Shah reformed currency in 1932: the rial replaced the qiran (1 toman = 10 rial). Bank Melli took over note issuance in 1932. Pahlavi era includes commemoratives for the 2500-year celebrations and FAO series.

Frequently asked

What is the Pahlavi 20 Rial Commemorative?

Late-Pahlavi commemorative — part of the broader commemorative-coin output that includes the FAO 'Money Coin' series. It was struck in SH 1357 / 1978 under Mohammad Reza Shah.

What metal and weight is it?

Copper-nickel, weighing approximately 9.0 g.

What designs appear on it?

Obverse: Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah motifs. Reverse: Quote about Bank Melli.

Related pieces

Cupronickel

Mohammad Reza Shah 1 Rial Coin

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1338–1357 (1959–1979)

Workhorse small-change coin of the late Pahlavi era — minted in hundreds of millions and still found in circulation drawers across Iran today.

Cupronickel

Mohammad Reza Shah 2 Rial Coin

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1338–1357 (1959–1979)

Mid-range minor denomination of the modernised Pahlavi coinage struck by Bank Markazi from the late 1950s onward.

Cupronickel

Mohammad Reza Shah 5 Rial Coin

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1338–1357 (1959–1979)

Highest-denomination cupronickel circulation coin of the era — the largest pocket coin most Iranians handled before the 1979 revolution.

Gold

Mohammad Reza Shah 10 Pahlavi Gold

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1355 / 1976

Minted in 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2½, 5 and 10 pahlavi denominations.

Paper

Bank Markazi 1000 Rial (Mohammad Reza Shah)

Mohammad Reza Shah

1969–1971

Workhorse high-denomination note from the late 1960s oil-boom era, issued by the newly-founded Central Bank of Iran (Bank Markazi).

Paper

Mohammad Reza Shah 500 Rial Banknote (1976)

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From the late-Pahlavi 'imperial calendar' (Shahanshahi) series — controversially replaced the Islamic calendar in 1976.