Obverse. Photo © Pesek Auctions
  • 10 Rials 1979, KM# 1243, Iran, Islamic Revolution, 1st Anniversary
  • 10 Rials 1979, KM# 1243, Iran, Islamic Revolution, 1st Anniversary
Description

The Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution, took place between 1978 and 1979, leading to the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and the establishment of an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with the Shah’s authoritarian regime, economic struggles, social inequality, and Western influence, the revolution united diverse groups, including secularists, leftists, and Islamists. Massive protests, strikes, and civil resistance ultimately forced the Shah into exile, and on April 1, 1979, Iran was officially declared an Islamic Republic after a national referendum, fundamentally transforming the country's political, social, and legal systems under Shia Islamic principles.

Obverse

Depicts the country's name (Islamic Republic of Iran) above denomination within a laurel and oak wreath with ribbon below.

جمهوری اسلامی ايران
۱۰
ریال

Reverse

Depicts three standing tulip flowers with branches surrounding the Persian inscription "On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran", date in Solar Hijria (SH) on both sides and denomination in Persian letters below.

The anniversary of the Iranian Revolution is celebrated on 22 Bahman, which is the 11th month in the Iranian calendar, equivalent to 11 February in the Gregorian calendar.

The tulip flower is firmly engrained in Iranian culture. The tulip represents the holy blood of martyrs who gave their lives in defence of their nation. In Persian poetry, the word “tulip” is used to depict how a lover suffers and is unable to conceive his beloved.

بمناسبت اوّلین سالگرد انقلاب اسلامی ایران
٢٢بهمن ۱۳۵۸
ده ﷼

Edge

10 Rials

KM# 1243
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 6.8 g
Diameter 28 mm
Thickness 1.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin

Related coins

Silver, 16 g, ⌀ 32 mm

Cupronickel, 12 g, ⌀ 31.2 mm

Cupronickel, 7 g, ⌀ 28 mm