Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 1 Rial 1977-1978, KM# 1172, Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
  • 1 Rial 1977-1978, KM# 1172, Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Description

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919–1980) was the last Shah of Iran, ruling from 1941 until the Iranian Revolution in 1979. He ascended to the throne after the forced abdication of his father, Reza Shah, during World War II. His rule was marked by rapid modernization, economic development, and the "White Revolution," a series of reforms aimed at land redistribution, women's rights, and industrial progress. However, his increasingly autocratic rule, close ties with Western powers, and reliance on the secret police, SAVAK, fueled opposition from various groups, including religious leaders and intellectuals.

By the late 1970s, widespread protests and political unrest, led in part by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, culminated in his overthrow. Forced into exile, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi lived in several countries before succumbing to cancer in Egypt in 1980. His legacy remains deeply controversial—some praise his efforts to modernize Iran, while others view him as a symbol of repression and Western imperialism.

Obverse

Depicts a value within the crowned wreath, an inscription above "Mohammad Shah Shahanshah of Iran" in Persian. Date below in Monarchical Calendar System (MS) or in Solar Hejira (SH).

Mohammad Reza Shah adopted the title Shahanshah ("King of Kings") on October 26, 1967.

During his reign, Iran commemorated 2,500 years of continuous Persian monarchy, tracing back to the founding of the Achaemenid Empire by Cyrus the Great. In conjunction with these celebrations, Mohammad Reza altered the Iranian calendar’s benchmark, shifting it from the Solar Hejira (SH) to the establishment of the First Persian Empire, dating from Cyrus the Great's coronation. This Monarchical Calendar System (MS) was officially introduced in 1976 but was abandoned in 1978. The Solar Hejira, which had been in use since 1925, was reinstated following the MS's repeal.

محمد شاه شاهنشاه ایران
١
ريال
۱۳۵۷

Reverse

Depicts an Emblem of the Imperial State of Iran (radiant lion holding sword, 1932-1980) within a crowned wreath. Value in Persian below.

The Lion and Sun motif is one of the better-known emblems of Iran. The motif has many historical meanings. First, it was an astrological and zodiacal symbol. Under Safvis and first Qajar kings, it received a specifically Shi'ite interpretation. In Safavid era the lion and sun stood for two pillars of the society, state and religion. It became a national emblem during the Qajar era.

At the top of the coat of arms was the Pahlavi crown, created for the Coronation of Reza Shah in 1926, and the collar of the Order of Pahlavi was under the shield.

یک ریال

Edge
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 1.77 g
Diameter 18.3 mm
Thickness 1.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Tehran Mint

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