IRAN, Qajars. Muzzafar al-Din Shah, AH 1313-1324 / AD 1896-1907. 1/2 Toman (Gold, 17 mm, 1.35 g, 6 h), bust with date only, stylised calligraphy type, Tehran, AH 1323 = AD 1905/6. Uniformed bust of Muẓaffar al-Dīn Shāh three-quarters to right, wearing tall cap with aigrette; date divided across field, with 13 to left and 23 to right. Rev. Within wreath, in three lines from bottom to top: al-sulṭān / Muẓaffar al-Dīn / Shāh-i Qājār (‘The Sultan Muẓaffar al-Dīn king of Qājār’ in Persian). Below: Tihrān (‘Tehran’ in Persian). KM 994.1 var. (differing reverse calligraphy). Rare. Lustrous and with a sharply struck reverse. Small die breaks and tiny deposits, otherwise, good extremely fine.


This specimen belongs to the stylized calligraphy group of Muẓaffar al-Dīn Shāh’s gold 1/2 tomans. The reverse calligraphy differs noticeably from the earlier original calligraphy type, with a more compact and decorative arrangement of the royal titulature within the wreath.

The contrast between the two dies is also noteworthy. The bust die was heavily worn, leaving little detail in the portrait, while the other side's die appears to have been fresh and sharply engraved, preserving crisp and attractive calligraphic details. This combination suggests that older dies could remain in use alongside newly prepared dies, an important observation for understanding die use and replacement in this late Qajar gold series.