Was Karim Khan a shah?

He held effective sovereign power but refused the title, ruling as vakil al-ra'aya nominally on behalf of a Safavid claimant — and his coinage carries no royal titulature.

What is the Zand period known for?

Nearly thirty years of relative peace and good administration after the turmoil following Nader Shah's death, and the rebuilding of Shiraz as a capital.

How many Karim Khan Zand pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?

1 item, dated 1751 CE – 1779 CE, spread across 1 era: Afsharid & Zand.

Which metals were used for Karim Khan Zand coinage?

Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.

Where were Karim Khan Zand coins minted?

Recorded mints include Khoy (also Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kashan).

Persian Treasury

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Ruler

Coinage of Karim Khan Zand

1 catalogued issue of Karim Khan Zand — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Karim Khan Zand (1751–1779) governed Iran for nearly thirty years from Shiraz while refusing the title of shah, calling himself vakil al-ra'aya — deputy of the people — and his coinage reflects that self-limitation. Karim Khan Zand issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1751 CE – 1779 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold at Khoy (also Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kashan).

Catalogued: 1
Eras: 1
Metals: 1
Denominations: 0

Key facts

Key facts about Karim Khan Zand in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces	1
Date range	1751 CE – 1779 CE
Eras represented	Afsharid & Zand
Metals	Gold
Mints	Khoy (also Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kashan)
Rule	1751–1779
Title	Vakil al-ra'aya, 'deputy of the people'
Capital	Shiraz
Dynasty ends	1794, Qajar conquest

The regent who would not be king

After the chaos following Nader Shah's assassination, Karim Khan restored order across most of Iran and ruled with a reputation for justice that Iranian historiography has kept intact. He nominally governed on behalf of a Safavid claimant.

His coin legends omit royal titulature and invoke religious authority instead — a rare case where a coinage documents a deliberate constraint on power rather than a claim to it.

Shiraz and the Zand economy

Karim Khan rebuilt Shiraz as his capital, and the Vakil bazaar, citadel and mosque date from his rule. Trade with the Gulf revived, and mint output from Shiraz, Tabriz, Khoy and other provincial centres reflects that recovery.

The dynasty collapsed in factional fighting after his death, and Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar's victory in 1794 closed the period — leaving a short, well-defined and popular collecting field.

Afsharid & Zand · 1736 – 1796 CE

Era overview →

Zand Gold Quarter Mohur

Karim Khan Zand

1751–1779 CE

Among the most beautifully calligraphed Persian coins.

Frequently asked about Karim Khan Zand

Was Karim Khan a shah?: He held effective sovereign power but refused the title, ruling as vakil al-ra'aya nominally on behalf of a Safavid claimant — and his coinage carries no royal titulature.
What is the Zand period known for?: Nearly thirty years of relative peace and good administration after the turmoil following Nader Shah's death, and the rebuilding of Shiraz as a capital.
What coins did Karim Khan Zand issue?: Karim Khan Zand issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1751 CE – 1779 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold at Khoy (also Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kashan).
How many Karim Khan Zand pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?: 1 item, dated 1751 CE – 1779 CE, spread across 1 era: Afsharid & Zand.
Which metals were used for Karim Khan Zand coinage?: Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Where were Karim Khan Zand coins minted?: Recorded mints include Khoy (also Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kashan).

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