Coinage of Reza Shah Pahlavi
6 catalogued issues of Reza Shah Pahlavi — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.
In short
Reza Shah Pahlavi (r. 1925–1941) founded the Pahlavi dynasty and rebuilt Iran's currency from the ground up: the rial replaced the kran in 1932, Bank Melli took over note issue, and the gold Pahlavi was introduced on the sovereign's fine-gold standard. Reza Shah Pahlavi issued 6 catalogued coin types dated 1305 CE – 1941 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold, Paper money, Silver at Tehran, Bank Melli Iran.
- Catalogued
- 6
- Eras
- 1
- Metals
- 3
- Denominations
- 3
Key facts
| Catalogued pieces | 6 |
|---|---|
| Date range | 1305 CE – 1941 CE |
| Eras represented | Pahlavi Dynasty |
| Metals | Gold, Paper money, Silver |
| Denominations | Pahlavi (coin), Rial, Toman |
| Mints | Tehran, Bank Melli Iran |
| Reign | 1925–1941 CE |
| Dynasty | Pahlavi (founder) |
| Currency reform | Rial replaces kran, 1932 |
| Note issuer | Bank Melli Iran, from the 1930s |
| Gold | Pahlavi, 8.136 g at 0.900 |
The reign
A Cossack Brigade officer who seized power in a 1921 coup and was crowned in 1925, Reza Shah pursued rapid state-building: the Trans-Iranian Railway, a conscript army, secular courts, and in 1935 the formal request that the country be called Iran internationally rather than Persia. He abdicated under Anglo-Soviet occupation in 1941.
The 1932 currency reform
The reform replaced the kran with the rial at parity and put the coinage on a modern decimal footing, with 5, 10, 25 and 50 dinar base-metal pieces and silver ½, 1, 2 and 5 rials. Bank Melli Iran assumed note issue from the Imperial Bank of Persia, ending the era of British-chartered Iranian paper money.
Gold Pahlavis of 8.136 g at 0.900 fineness were introduced as a bullion and reserve coin. Portrait styles run from a bareheaded military bust to a crowned imperial profile after 1935.
Pahlavi Dynasty · 1925 – 1979 CE
Era overview →Frequently asked about Reza Shah Pahlavi
- When did Iran switch from the kran to the rial?
- In 1932, under Reza Shah, the rial replaced the kran at parity as the official currency unit.
- Are Reza Shah coins valuable?
- Silver rials of the 1930s are affordable in circulated grade; high-grade examples, gold Pahlavis and early dates carry meaningful premiums.
- What coins did Reza Shah Pahlavi issue?
- Reza Shah Pahlavi issued 6 catalogued coin types dated 1305 CE – 1941 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold, Paper money, Silver at Tehran, Bank Melli Iran.
- How many Reza Shah Pahlavi pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
- 6 items, dated 1305 CE – 1941 CE, spread across 1 era: Pahlavi Dynasty.
- Which metals were used for Reza Shah Pahlavi coinage?
- Gold, Paper money, Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
- Which denominations are associated with Reza Shah Pahlavi?
- Pahlavi (coin), Rial, Toman. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
- Where were Reza Shah Pahlavi coins minted?
- Recorded mints include Tehran, Bank Melli Iran.
Explore related hubs
Denominations here
Metals here
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