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500 Rials, Central Bank of Iran, Iran, 2003–2009 (Pick 137A)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

2003-2009

This 500 Rials note was issued in Iran by the Central Bank of Iran, with dates recorded from 2003–2009. It belongs to the Second Rial (1932-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Islamic Republic (1979-date). It measures 143 × 70 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 137A.

Obverse: Gray and olive. Feyzieh Madressa seminary at lower left; large prayer gathering at center. Building at lower left on front distant to numeral. Its lettering reads “جمهوری اسلامی ایران / بانک مرکزی ایران / ۵۰۰ پانصد ریال”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Islamic Republic of Iran Bank Markazi Iran Five Hundred Rials”. Reverse: Green and gray. Main entrance of the Tehran University. Its lettering reads “ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN 500 / BANK MARKAZI IRAN / 500 FIVE HUNDRED RIALS”.

The note was printed by De La Rue (Thomas de la Rue; Thomas De La Rue & Co.; TDLR), London, United Kingdom (1821-date). Watermark: Portrait of Khomeini. Signatures recorded for the type: Ebrahim Sheibani (ES) (President); Tahmasb Mazaheri (TM) (Minister of Economic Affairs); Safdar Hosseini (SH) (Minister of Economic Affairs); Mohsen Nourbakhsh (MN) (President); Hossein Namazi (HN) (Minister of Economic Affairs); Davoud Danesh-Jafari (DDJ) (Minister of Economic Affairs).

Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

For similar notes with CENTRAL BANK OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN on the reverse, see TBB#276. Details of building on lower left on P#137. For the banknotes issued between 2003-2009 (P#137A), the architectural image at lower left is moved towards the right. Under backlight the security strip can be read: UV activity of a P#137Ad note at 365nm:

Physical characteristics

Size
143 × 70 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper
Watermark
Portrait of Khomeini.

Technical characteristics

Printer
De La Rue (Thomas de la Rue; Thomas De La Rue & Co.; TDLR), London, United Kingdom (1821-date)
Currency
Second Rial (1932-date)
Signatures
Ebrahim Sheibani (ES) (President) · Tahmasb Mazaheri (TM) (Minister of Economic Affairs) · Safdar Hosseini (SH) (Minister of Economic Affairs) · Mohsen Nourbakhsh (MN) (President) · Hossein Namazi (HN) (Minister of Economic Affairs) · Davoud Danesh-Jafari (DDJ) (Minister of Economic Affairs)
Issuing bank
Central Bank of Iran

Design

Obverse
Gray and olive. Feyzieh Madressa seminary at lower left; large prayer gathering at center. Building at lower left on front distant to numeral.
Reverse
Green and gray. Main entrance of the Tehran University.
Obverse lettering
جمهوری اسلامی ایران / بانک مرکزی ایران / ۵۰۰ پانصد ریال
Reverse lettering
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN 500 / BANK MARKAZI IRAN / 500 FIVE HUNDRED RIALS

Identification

Value
500 Rials
Dates recorded
2003-2009
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 137A

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P137A
  • NumistaN# 224232

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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