What metal and weight is the Reza Shah Silver 5 Rial (1938)?

Silver (.828), weighing approximately ~12.5 g.

Pahlavi Dynasty

Reza Shah Silver 5 Rial (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.

Key specifications for Reza Shah Silver 5 Rial (1938)
Date	SH 1317 / 1938
Ruler / issuer	Reza Shah Pahlavi
Mint	Tehran
Metal	Silver (.828)
Weight	~12.5 g
Era	Pahlavi Dynasty (1925 – 1979 CE)
Region	Iran

Obverse

Bust of Reza Shah in military uniform, right.

Reverse

Lion-and-Sun with crown; value '5 Rial' and SH date.

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.

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Frequently asked

What is the Reza Shah Silver 5 Rial (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. It was struck in SH 1317 / 1938 at Tehran under Reza Shah Pahlavi.
What metal and weight is it?: Silver (.828), weighing approximately ~12.5 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Bust of Reza Shah in military uniform, right. Reverse: Lion-and-Sun with crown; value '5 Rial' and SH date.

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.

Reza Shah 1000 Rial Banknote (first series)

Reza Shah Pahlavi

SH 1317 / 1938

Highest denomination of the Reza Shah series; rare in collectible grade.

Reza Shah First Nowruz Commemorative

Reza Shah Pahlavi

SH 1305 / 1926

Struck for the first Nowruz of the new Pahlavi era — Reza Shah was crowned on 25 April 1926 and the spring equinox that followed was celebrated as the dynastic refoundation of Iran.

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.

Reza Shah Gold Toman — Tehran (early)

Reza Shah Pahlavi

SH 1305–1309 (1926–1930)

Early Pahlavi gold toman issued before the 1932 currency reform that replaced toman/qiran with the rial. These first issues retained the Qajar-era denomination system briefly.