Mozaffar al-Din Shah — Tehran Mint

Historical context — Qajar Dynasty

Qajar coinage introduced the Lion-and-Sun emblem, mechanised minting (1877), and the country's first banknotes (1890, Imperial Bank of Persia). Denominations: toman (gold), qiran (silver), shahi (copper).

Frequently asked

What is the Mozaffar al-Din Shah — Tehran Mint?

Mozaffar al-Din Shah signed the 1906 Constitution that established Iran's first parliament (Majles), making him the last absolute Qajar monarch. His machine-struck Tehran coinage in qirans and tomans set the standard for late-Qajar circulation. It was struck in 1896–1907 CE at Tehran (machine-struck) under Mozaffar al-Din Shah Qajar.

What metal and weight is it?

Silver.

What designs appear on it?

Obverse: Lion-and-Sun emblem in wreath with crown above; denomination and Hijri date. Reverse: Ruler's name and title in Persian Nastaliq.

Related pieces

Gold

Mozaffar al-Din Shah 2 Toman Gold

Mozaffar al-Din Shah Qajar

AH 1313–1324 / 1896–1907 CE

Mozaffar al-Din was the shah who signed the 1906 Constitution five days before his death — the first constitutional monarchy in the Islamic world. His machine-struck gold is well-engraved and relatively common. Image: related Naser al-Din Tehran gold.

Copper

Naser al-Din Shah 50 Dinar Copper

Naser al-Din Shah Qajar

1848–1896 CE

Low-denomination copper coin (1/2 shahi = 50 dinar) for everyday market transactions. The 1877 mechanisation finally drove out the old hand-struck 'falus' coppers that had varied wildly between local mints.

Silver

Fath-Ali Shah Silver — Ganja Mint

Fath-Ali Shah Qajar

Early 19th century

Struck at the Ganja mint in the contested Caucasus frontier — the city was ceded to the Russian Empire under the 1813 Treaty of Gulistan, ending Qajar minting there. 1 toman = 10 qiran = 1000 dinars.

Silver

Ahmad Shah Qajar — Tehran Mint

Ahmad Shah Qajar

1909–1925 CE

Last Qajar ruler — crowned aged 11, deposed by Reza Khan in 1925. His machine-struck Tehran-mint coinage carries solar Hijri (SH) dates.

Silver

Fath-Ali Shah Silver — Isfahan Mint

Fath-Ali Shah Qajar

1797–1834 CE

Isfahan remained one of the principal Qajar mints, continuing the Safavid tradition. Silver issues here carried the heaviest provincial production for the central Iranian plateau.

Silver

Fath-Ali Shah Nowruz Treasure Coin — Tabriz

Fath-Ali Shah Qajar

AH 1226 / 1811–12 CE

Special presentation issue ('sekke-ye sahib-qiran') struck for the Nowruz New Year celebrations at the Tabriz mint — distributed at court as ceremonial largesse rather than circulating currency.