Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Mohammad Reza Shah

16 catalogued issues of Mohammad Reza Shah — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (r. 1941–1979) was the last Shah of Iran, and his coinage — gold Pahlavis, silver and cupro-nickel rials, and the 2500-year commemoratives of 1971 — is the most widely available Iranian series of all. Mohammad Reza Shah issued 16 catalogued coin types dated 1338 CE – 2535 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold, Silver, Cupro-nickel, Paper money at Tehran, Bank Markazi Iran.

Catalogued
16
Eras
1
Metals
4
Denominations
2

Key facts

Key facts about Mohammad Reza Shah in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces16
Date range1338 CE – 2535 CE
Eras representedPahlavi Dynasty
MetalsGold, Silver, Cupro-nickel, Paper money
DenominationsPahlavi (coin), Rial
MintsTehran, Bank Markazi Iran
Reign1941–1979 CE
DynastyPahlavi
GoldPahlavi, 8.136 g at 0.900
Circulation metalSilver, then cupro-nickel rials
Date quirkImperial era dates in the 2530s (1976–1978)

The reign in coinage

Coins of the reign fall into three visual phases. Early issues (1940s–1950s) show a young bareheaded bust in a plain style. The middle period introduces the crowned imperial portrait and the full arms with the Lion and Sun. Late issues, from the 1960s, use a mature military bust and were struck in large quantities in cupro-nickel.

Denominations run 5, 10, 25 and 50 dinars in base metal and 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 rials in silver and later cupro-nickel, alongside the gold Pahlavi in six sizes.

Commemoratives and dating quirks

The 1971 celebrations of 2,500 years of Persian monarchy produced commemorative coins and medals, and in 1976 the calendar itself was changed: dates switched briefly from the Solar Hijri era to an imperial era counted from Cyrus the Great, producing coins dated in the 2530s. The change was reversed in 1978.

For ordinary Solar Hijri dates, add 621 to get the CE year. For the imperial-era coins, subtract 1180 to reach the Solar Hijri equivalent.

Collecting

Almost every circulation issue can be found in uncirculated condition inexpensively, which makes a complete date-and-denomination set a realistic project. Value concentrates in gold, proof sets, the 1971 commemoratives, and error strikes.

Banknotes of the reign are also common, but the same designs overprinted after the 1979 revolution are a separate and more actively collected field.

Pahlavi Dynasty · 1925 – 1979 CE

Era overview →

Mohammad Reza Shah 10 Pahlavi Gold

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1355 / 1976

Minted in 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2½, 5 and 10 pahlavi denominations.

2500-Year Celebration Commemorative Medal

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1350 / 1971

Issued for Persepolis ceremonies celebrating 2500 years of Persian monarchy.

Pahlavi 20 Rial Commemorative

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1357 / 1978

Late-Pahlavi commemorative — part of the broader commemorative-coin output that includes the FAO 'Money Coin' series.

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).

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.

Mohammad Reza Shah 5000 Rial Banknote (1977)

Mohammad Reza Shah

1977

Mid-high denomination of the final Bank Markazi Pahlavi series before the 1979 revolution.

Mohammad Reza Shah 10,000 Rial Banknote (1978)

Mohammad Reza Shah

1978

Highest denomination of the final Pahlavi series — printed on the eve of the 1979 revolution; many were later overprinted with arabesques to cover the Shah's portrait.

Pahlavi 50th Anniversary 100 Rial Banknote

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 2535 / 1976

Special commemorative note for the half-centennial of the dynasty founded by Reza Shah in 1925.

Mohammad Reza Shah 5 Pahlavi Gold

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1339–1357 (1960–1979)

Heavy bullion gold piece, half-ounce class — issued primarily as an investment instrument by Bank Markazi alongside the 1, 2½ and 10 Pahlavi denominations.

Mohammad Reza Shah 1 Rial Coin

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1338–1357 (1959–1979)

Workhorse small-change coin of the late Pahlavi era — minted in hundreds of millions and still found in circulation drawers across Iran today.

Mohammad Reza Shah 2 Rial Coin

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1338–1357 (1959–1979)

Mid-range minor denomination of the modernised Pahlavi coinage struck by Bank Markazi from the late 1950s onward.

Mohammad Reza Shah 5 Rial Coin

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1338–1357 (1959–1979)

Highest-denomination cupronickel circulation coin of the era — the largest pocket coin most Iranians handled before the 1979 revolution.

Mohammad Reza Shah 10,000 Rial (1971)

Mohammad Reza Shah

1971

The highest denomination of the early-1970s oil-boom series, issued in the year of the spectacular 2,500-year monarchy celebrations at Persepolis.

Mohammad Reza Shah 50 Rial Banknote

Mohammad Reza Shah

1970s

Mid-low denomination of the Bank Markazi series — the everyday note for taxi fares and market purchases throughout the 1970s.

50 Rial '2,500-Year Empire' Commemorative Banknote

Mohammad Reza Shah

SH 1350 / 1971

Issued for the October 1971 Persepolis ceremonies marking 2,500 years since Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire — one of the most lavish state events of the 20th century.

Mohammad Reza Shah 1000 Rial — Second Series

Mohammad Reza Shah

Mid-1970s

Workhorse high-denomination note of the oil-boom decade — printed by De La Rue (London) and Thomas De La Rue's Tehran-licensed press.

Frequently asked about Mohammad Reza Shah

Are Mohammad Reza Shah coins valuable?
Most circulation rials are common and inexpensive. Gold Pahlavis trade near bullion, and proof sets, 1971 commemoratives and mint errors carry the real premiums.
Why are some Iranian coins dated 2536?
In 1976 Iran briefly adopted an imperial calendar counted from Cyrus the Great; 2536 corresponds to 1977 CE. The Solar Hijri calendar was restored in 1978.
What coins did Mohammad Reza Shah issue?
Mohammad Reza Shah issued 16 catalogued coin types dated 1338 CE – 2535 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold, Silver, Cupro-nickel, Paper money at Tehran, Bank Markazi Iran.
How many Mohammad Reza Shah pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
16 items, dated 1338 CE – 2535 CE, spread across 1 era: Pahlavi Dynasty.
Which metals were used for Mohammad Reza Shah coinage?
Gold, Silver, Cupro-nickel, Paper money. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Mohammad Reza Shah?
Pahlavi (coin), Rial. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Mohammad Reza Shah coins minted?
Recorded mints include Tehran, Bank Markazi Iran.

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Denominations here