Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Muzaffar al-Din Shah era

2 catalogued issues of Muzaffar al-Din Shah era — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

The Muzaffar al-Din era (1896–1907) covers Iran's constitutional turn — the Majlis of 1906, the D'Arcy oil concession, and a machine-struck coinage issued by a state in deepening financial dependence. Muzaffar al-Din Shah era issued 2 catalogued coin types dated 1896 CE – 1906 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold, Paper money at Tehran, Imperial Bank of Persia (printed by Bradbury Wilkinson, London).

Catalogued
2
Eras
1
Metals
2
Denominations
2

Key facts

Key facts about Muzaffar al-Din Shah era in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces2
Date range1896 CE – 1906 CE
Eras representedQajar Dynasty
MetalsGold, Paper money
DenominationsToman, Rial
MintsTehran, Imperial Bank of Persia (printed by Bradbury Wilkinson, London)
Period1896–1907
ConstitutionGranted 1906; first Majlis convened
Oil concessionD'Arcy, 1901
CoinageMachine-struck krans, 2-krans, gold tomans

Concessions and constitution

Persistent deficits were covered by Russian and British loans secured on customs revenue, administered by Belgian officials. Resentment at that arrangement fed directly into the protest movement that won a constitution in 1906.

The D'Arcy concession of 1901 gave a British investor rights over most of Iran's oil, the origin of a dispute that ran through the nationalisation crisis of 1951.

The coinage

Tehran-struck silver krans and 2-krans and gold tomans of the period are technically competent and dated in the Islamic calendar, with the lion-and-sun reverse.

Common dates cost little, which makes this an inexpensive way to hold coinage from one of the pivotal decades of modern Iranian history.

Qajar Dynasty · 1789 – 1925 CE

Era overview →

Qajar 10 Toman Gold (AH 1314)

Muzaffar al-Din Shah era

c. 1896 CE

Among the largest Qajar gold denominations. Muzaffar al-Din signed the Constitution in 1906.

Imperial Bank of Persia — One Toman (1906)

Muzaffar al-Din Shah era

1906

Iran's first true paper currency: the British-chartered Imperial Bank issued notes from 1890 with each branch (Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Bushehr, Yazd, Mashhad, Resht, Shiraz, Kermanshah) issuing non-fungible notes payable only at its own counter.

Frequently asked about Muzaffar al-Din Shah era

What was the Constitutional Revolution?
A protest movement that forced Mozaffar al-Din Shah to grant a constitution in 1906 and convene Iran's first parliament, the Majlis.
Are coins of this era expensive?
Common silver dates are inexpensive; gold tomans and high-grade examples carry premiums.
What coins did Muzaffar al-Din Shah era issue?
Muzaffar al-Din Shah era issued 2 catalogued coin types dated 1896 CE – 1906 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold, Paper money at Tehran, Imperial Bank of Persia (printed by Bradbury Wilkinson, London).
How many Muzaffar al-Din Shah era pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
2 items, dated 1896 CE – 1906 CE, spread across 1 era: Qajar Dynasty.
Which metals were used for Muzaffar al-Din Shah era coinage?
Gold, Paper money. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Muzaffar al-Din Shah era?
Toman, Rial. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Muzaffar al-Din Shah era coins minted?
Recorded mints include Tehran, Imperial Bank of Persia (printed by Bradbury Wilkinson, London).

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here