Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 5 Afghanis 1978, KM# 995, Afghanistan
  • 5 Afghanis 1978, KM# 995, Afghanistan
Description

The Saur Revolution, also known as the Sowr Revolution, or the April Revolution, was a coup staged by the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) on 27–28 April 1978. This revolution overthrew President Mohammed Daoud Khan, who had come to power through the 1973 Afghan coup d'état and established an autocratic one-party system. Daoud and most of his family were executed at the Arg in Kabul by Khalqi military officers, followed by a purge of his supporters. The successful uprising led to the establishment of a socialist Afghan government aligned with the Soviet Union, with Nur Muhammad Taraki as the General Secretary of the Revolutionary Council. The term "Saur" or "Sowr" refers to the second month of the Solar Hijri calendar, during which the revolution occurred.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (after the April Coup, 1978–1980), the country name in Pashto above and the date in Solar Hijri with the month (April) below.

The emblem of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (after the April Coup) features the name of the Khalqi military. It incorporates communist symbols such as the star. Surrounding the emblem, a wreath of ears of grain.

Khalq (lit. 'masses' or 'people') was a faction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), led by Nur Muhammad Taraki, Hafizullah Amin, and Sayed Mohammad Gulabzoy. Formed in 1967, it split from the Parcham faction and consisted mainly of rural Pashtuns. Khalqists ruled Afghanistan after the 1978 Saur Revolution, implementing radical reforms and brutal crackdowns, turning the country into a police state. These measures fueled rebellion among religious and ethnic minorities, leading many to join exiled Islamist groups. Khalqist rule ended with the Soviet intervention in December 1979, which overthrew Amin.

د افغانستان دموكراتيك جمهوري دولت
خلق
دثور انقلاب ۱۳۵٧
د افغانستان دموكراتيك جمهوريت
ثور -۱۳۵٧

Reverse

Large numeral value in the middle with Pashto letters above surrounded by four stars on both sides.

پنځه
٥
افغاني

Edge

5 Afghanis

Democratic Republic
KM# 995 Schön# 105
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 7.5 g
Diameter 27 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

Kingdom, Tughra with "Who relies on God"

Aluminium, 3 g, ⌀ 26 mm
Kingdom

Nickel Plated Steel, 8.04 g, ⌀ 29.2 mm
Democratic Republic, World Food Day

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Brass, 7.2 g, ⌀ 27 mm