Iran 20 Rials 1980

History

20 Rials 1980, KM# 1246, Iran, Islamic Revolution, 2nd Anniversary

Obverse. Photo © Katz Auction

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) in Persian calligraphy. جمهوری اسلامی ايران
Reverse	Tree, flower, plant etc. Tulip Depicts denomination dividing two standing tulip flowers with branches (as 2nd anniversary of the revolution) at the right and a Persian inscription "On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran", date in Solar Hijria (SH) 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 دومين سالگرد انقلاب اسلامی ایران ۲۰ ﷼ ٢٢بهمن ۱۳۵٩
Edge	Reeded (milled)