Qajar, Ahmad Shah, 1328 AH, Silver White Shahi, Tehran mint

[aws22]

Qajar, Ahmad Shah, 1328 AH, Silver white shahi, Tehran mint
KM#1031
Weight 0.069 gm
Diameter 17 mm
Metal Silver
Small and light weight coin.

Maythem

[Manzikert]

These 'shahi sefid' (white shahi) were intended mainly as 'nowruz' (new year) presents, so though they were only worth 150 dinars they were struck on broader and thinner planchets than the smallest other silver denomination, the quarter kran or 'robi' (250 dinars). This made for a slightly more impressive present at a lower cost.

I only have one, of Nasir al-Din from 1307 H (1890), 0.83 gm, 17 mm, KM 889. (I assume yours is actually 0.69 gm, not 0.069 gm)

When the official mint stopped making these (after 1344 H, 1925-6) privately made 'shahi sefid' were produced in base silver, silvered brass and white metal, and I even got a brass one from our local Iranian restaurant last year.

Alan

[aws22]

Thank you Alan for the useful information, sorry about the weight, I have rechecked it and it is 0.65 gm and now I am in doubt about the metal which to me looks like silver and not brass. I could be wrong but it does not matter, it is a lovely coin and I love small and tiny coins.

Maythem

[Manzikert]

I think it will definitely be silver, only the later unofficial tokens were brass or silvered brass.

As you say, these tiny pieces are beautiful: I wish I had more.

Alan