Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Transitional issue, Islamic Republic

1 catalogued issue of Transitional issue, Islamic Republic — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

The transitional issues of 1979–1981 are the coins and notes struck as Iran changed regime — Pahlavi dies with royal symbols removed, notes overprinted to obscure the shah's portrait, and the first purely republican designs. Transitional issue, Islamic Republic issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1979 CE – 1981 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Paper money at Bank Markazi Iran.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
2

Key facts

Key facts about Transitional issue, Islamic Republic in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range1979 CE – 1981 CE
Eras representedIslamic Republic
MetalsPaper money
DenominationsRial, Pahlavi (coin)
MintsBank Markazi Iran
Period1979–1981
BanknotesPahlavi stock overprinted to obscure the portrait
CoinageCrown and portrait replaced by inscriptions
Collecting noteOverprint variety and grade drive value

Erasing a monarchy

Existing banknote stock was too valuable to destroy, so Bank Markazi overprinted the shah's watermark and portrait with an arabesque or lattice pattern and reissued it. On coinage, the imperial crown and the shah's profile disappear in favour of inscriptions and the tulip emblem.

These are among the most legible political objects in modern numismatics: a change of state visible as ink laid over a face.

Collecting the transition

Overprint varieties, plate differences and short-lived hybrid designs make the 1979–1981 window a genuine specialist field, and one where scarce combinations still surface in ordinary accumulations.

Values are driven by the specific overprint type and by condition. Because the notes circulated hard through a period of upheaval, crisp examples are much scarcer than the mintage figures suggest.

Islamic Republic · 1979 – present

Era overview →

Overprinted Pahlavi 5000 Rial — Khomeini Arabesque

Transitional issue, Islamic Republic

1979–1981

Following the 1979 revolution, existing stocks of high-denomination Pahlavi notes were over-printed to remove the Shah's image while replacement notes were designed.

Frequently asked about Transitional issue, Islamic Republic

Why do some Iranian banknotes have a pattern over the portrait?
After the 1979 revolution, existing Pahlavi-portrait notes were overprinted with an arabesque covering the shah's face and reissued rather than destroyed.
Are 1979 transitional issues collectable?
Very much so. Overprint varieties, hybrid designs and short print runs make the 1979–1981 window one of the most active specialist areas in modern Iranian numismatics.
What coins did Transitional issue, Islamic Republic issue?
Transitional issue, Islamic Republic issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1979 CE – 1981 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Paper money at Bank Markazi Iran.
How many Transitional issue, Islamic Republic pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 1979 CE – 1981 CE, spread across 1 era: Islamic Republic.
Which metals were used for Transitional issue, Islamic Republic coinage?
Paper money. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Transitional issue, Islamic Republic?
Rial, Pahlavi (coin). Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Transitional issue, Islamic Republic coins minted?
Recorded mints include Bank Markazi Iran.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here