Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Pul 1952-1953, KM# 947, Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah
  • 50 Pul 1952-1953, KM# 947, Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah
Description

Mohammad Zahir Shah (1914–2007) was the last King of Afghanistan, reigning from 8 November 1933 until his deposition on 17 July 1973. His 40-year reign was the longest since the Durrani Empire's founding in the 18th century.

Zahir Shah expanded Afghanistan's diplomatic relations during the Cold War and began modernizing the country in the 1950s, introducing a new constitution and a constitutional monarchy. His nonpartisan approach brought a period of peace that ended with the Afghan conflict.

In 1973, while he was receiving medical treatment in Italy, his cousin and former prime minister, Mohammad Daoud Khan, overthrew him in a coup, establishing a republic and ending over 225 years of monarchy. Zahir Shah lived in exile near Rome until 2002, returning to Afghanistan after the Taliban's fall. He was honored as Father of the Nation until his death in 2007.

Obverse

Depicts the emblem of the Kingdom of Afghanistan, the date in the Solar Hijri calendar and the state name within the banner.

The Afghan Emblem depicts a mosque featuring a mihrab and minbar, or pulpit. Adjacent to the mosque are two flags, symbolizing Afghanistan's flags amid wheat sheaves.

The national and state flag, one of Afghanistan's oldest, was adopted in 1930 and reaffirmed in the October 1964 constitution. Introduced during King Nadir Shah's rule, it endured until the end of his son Mohammad Zahir Shah's reign, spanning over several decades.

Depicts the name of King "Mohammed Zahir Shah who relies on God" within a beaded circle surrounded by the country name above and a wreath of wheat with a date in Solar Hijri within the banner below.

١٣٣١
افغانستان

Reverse

Depicts the denomination in Pashto letters within a circle surrounded by the country name above and the name of King "Who relies on God, Mohammed Zahir Shah" below.

افغانستان
پنځوس
پولي
المتوكل على الله محمد ظاهر شاه

Edge

50 Pul

Kingdom
KM# 947 Schön# 85
Characteristics
Material Nickel Plated Steel
Weight 5 g
Diameter 22.3 mm
Thickness 1.86 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Kabul Mint

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