Reza Shah 1000 Rial Banknote (first series)

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 Reza Shah 1000 Rial Banknote (first series)?

Highest denomination of the Reza Shah series; rare in collectible grade. It was struck in SH 1317 / 1938 at Bank Melli Iran under Reza Shah Pahlavi.

What metal and weight is it?

Paper.

What designs appear on it?

Obverse: Reza Shah portrait; denomination in Persian and English. Reverse: Persepolis bull capital.

Related pieces

Paper

Reza Shah 500 Rial Banknote

Reza Shah Pahlavi

SH 1317 / 1938

High denomination of the first Bank Melli series under Reza Shah — equivalent to a substantial sum in the 1930s.

Silver

Reza Shah Silver 5 Rial (1938)

Reza Shah Pahlavi

SH 1317 / 1938

Reza Shah's portrait silver — the first Iranian circulating coin since pre-Islamic Sasanian times to depict a living ruler's face. Issued in 1, 2 and 5 rial denominations from 1932 to 1942.

Gold

Reza Shah Gold Pahlavi

Reza Shah Pahlavi

SH 1305–1320 (1926–1941)

Successor bullion coin to the toman. Still traded today as Iran's gold investment standard.

Paper

Bank Melli 100 Rial (Reza Shah)

Reza Shah

SH 1317 / 1938

First series of Bank Melli notes featuring the new shah.

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)

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 2535 / 1976

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