Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi 10 Rials

History

10 Rials 1966-1973, KM# 1178, Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

Obverse. Photo © Münzen & Medaillen GmbH

Description

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919–1980), also known as Mohammad Reza Shah, was the last Shah of Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979. He was the second and last monarch of the House of Pahlavi. Mohammad Reza came to power during World War II after an Anglo-Soviet invasion forced the abdication of his father, Reza Shah Pahlavi.

Mohammad Reza gradually lost support from the Shi'a clergy of Iran as well as the working class, particularly due to his strong policy of modernisation, laïcité, conflict with the traditional class of wealthy merchants known as bazaaris, relations with Israel, and corruption issues surrounding himself and the royal family, and the ruling elite.

Several other factors contributed to strong opposition to the Shah amongst certain groups within Iran, the most significant of which were US and UK support for his regime, and clashes with leftists and Islamists. By 1979, political unrest had transformed into a revolution which, on 17 January, forced him to leave Iran. Soon thereafter, the Iranian monarchy was formally abolished, and Iran was declared an Islamic republic led by Ruhollah Khomeini (known in the West as Ayatollah Khomeini).

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Depicts Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi facing left, an inscription above "Mohammadreza Pahlavi Shah Aryamhar, the Shahanshah "King of Kings" of Iran" in Persian. Date below in Solar Hijri Calendar (SH). The Solar Hijri calendar is a solar calendar and one of the various Iranian calendars. It begins on the March equinox as determined by the astronomical calculation for the Iran Standard Time meridian (52.5°E, UTC+03:30) and has years of 365 or 366 days. It is the modern principal calendar in Iran and is sometimes also called the Shamsi calendar and Khorshidi calendar. It is abbreviated as SH, HS or, by analogy with AH, AHSh. محمّد رضا شاه پهلوی آریامهر شاهنشاه ایران ۱۳۴۸
Reverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion Coat of arms Iran Military Sword 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. ده ريال
Edge	Reeded (milled)