Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 5 Afghanis 1958, KM# 950, Afghanistan, Mohammed Zahir Shah
  • 5 Afghanis 1958, KM# 950, 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 inside a beaded circle surrounded by six stars and denomination in Pashto numeral and letters below.

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.

افغانستان
پنځه ۵ افغاني

Reverse

Depicts the tughra in Mohammed Zahir Shah's name with "who relies on God" at right and "the king of Afghanistan" below within a beaded circle surrounded by the mint name (Kabul) above, three stars on both sides and the date of accession below.

كابل
المتوكل على الله
محمد ظاهر شاه
پادشاه افغانستان
١٣٣٧

Edge

5 Afghanis

Kingdom, Tughra with "Who relies on God"
KM# 950 Schön# 89
Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Weight 3 g
Diameter 26 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Kabul Mint

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