What is the Islamic Republic 5000 Rial (1981)?

Second-series IR high denomination; replaced the over-printed Pahlavi notes. It was struck in 1981 at Bank Markazi Iran.

Persian Treasury

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Islamic Republic

Islamic Republic 5000 Rial (1981)

Second-series IR high denomination; replaced the over-printed Pahlavi notes.

Key specifications for Islamic Republic 5000 Rial (1981)
Date	1981
Mint	Bank Markazi Iran
Metal	Paper
Era	Islamic Republic (1979 – present)
Region	Iran

Obverse

Scene of revolutionary martyrs or Friday prayer.

Reverse

Holy shrine of Imam Reza, Mashhad.

Historical context — Islamic Republic

Post-revolution coinage replaced the Lion-and-Sun with floral and architectural motifs. Banknotes feature Khomeini portrait from 1992, and have ranged from 100 to 1,000,000 rial. Toman (10 rial) is being reintroduced as the official unit in 2020s currency reform.

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Frequently asked

What is the Islamic Republic 5000 Rial (1981)?: Second-series IR high denomination; replaced the over-printed Pahlavi notes. It was struck in 1981 at Bank Markazi Iran.
What metal and weight is it?: Paper.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Scene of revolutionary martyrs or Friday prayer. Reverse: Holy shrine of Imam Reza, Mashhad.

Overprinted Pahlavi 5000 Rial — Khomeini Arabesque

Transitional issue, Islamic Republic

1979–1981

Following the 1979 revolution, existing stocks of high-denomination Pahlavi notes were over-printed to remove the Shah's image while replacement notes were designed.