Iranian rial coinage, Pahlavi period (1932–1979)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1932–1979
Issuing entity
Iran (Pahlavi)The rial replaced the qiran at par in 1932 and was divided into 100 dinars. This entry covers rial coins struck in Iran under the Pahlavi shahs, from the first issues of 1932 until the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
The first coins of 1932 were 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 dinars and 1/2, 1, 2 and 5 rials, with the 1/2- to 5-rial pieces struck in silver; gold coins denominated in pahlavi were also issued, initially valued at 100 rials. In 1944 the silver coins were reduced in size and denominations below 25 dinars ceased. Silver 10-rial coins followed in 1945, silver coinage ended in 1953 (the smallest denomination then being 50 dinars), and 20-rial coins were introduced in 1972.
After the revolution, coin designs were changed to remove the Shah's effigy while sizes and compositions were at first kept. The photograph shows a 20-rial coin dated 1978 bearing Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah motifs, per its Wikimedia Commons file description.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Pahlavi coins are generally dated in the Solar Hijri calendar. Issues of about 1976–1978 may instead carry dates in the short-lived imperial calendar, so late dates should be checked against a catalogue. Denomination history follows Wikipedia's article on the Iranian rial; individual types and mintages require a specialist catalogue.
Identification
- Silver issues
- Until 1953
- How to identify
- Denomination, metal and size, the ruler's portrait or emblem and the Solar Hijri date together place a coin within this series.
- Denomination system
- 1 rial = 100 dinars; 10 rials = 1 toman (colloquial)
- Illustrated example
- 20 rials, 1978 (Wikimedia Commons)
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Research required
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- 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
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research Required: KM numbers, mintages and design varieties by year are not yet transcribed.
- Research Required: confirm which late issues use imperial-calendar dates.