100 rials 1951

Common. Despite its age and historical significance, eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $8–$40 range across multiple condition grades (VF to EF) from 2011–2022, with catalog values listing UNC at $50 (2016). The regular issue status and steady secondary market activity indicate this note was produced in substantial quantities and remains readily available to collectors. The AU condition grade observed here aligns with market expectations for this Pick number.

This note was issued during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, at a pivotal moment in post-WWII Iranian history. The reverse depicts Darius I (Darius the Great), the ancient Achaemenid emperor, reflecting the Pahlavi dynasty's historical narrative connecting modern Iran to its pre-Islamic imperial past. The portrait of the Shah in civilian Western attire on the obverse symbolizes the modernization program the Pahlavi regime was pursuing during the early 1950s, a period marked by both nationalist sentiment and Western alignment.

The obverse features Mohammad Reza Pahlavi depicted in profile facing left, dressed in formal Western business attire with suit and tie—a deliberate choice emphasizing modernization over traditional Persian dress. The central design showcases elaborate Islamic geometric patterns with floral and botanical motifs in gold, green, cream, and orange, flanked by architectural column designs suggesting classical Persian heritage. The dominant mauve-burgundy background with cream accents creates visual sophistication. The reverse depicts a historical scene from the Achaemenid period, showing multiple figures in traditional Persian court dress and regalia in what appears to be a palace setting with architectural columns reminiscent of Persepolis. Fine engraved line work, guilloche patterns, and precision cross-hatching throughout both sides demonstrate the high-security printing standards of the era.

Front side: 'بانک ملی ایران' (Bank Melli Iran); Date appears as '۱۳۰۰/۶/۸/۱۵' in Persian calendar notation (corresponding to 1951); Serial reference '۲۴۸/۶۸۱۹۵'. Back side: 'BANK MELLI IRAN' and 'RIALS 100' in English. The bilingual presentation reflects Iran's positioning during this modernization period.

Intaglio engraving (recess printing) executed by Harrison & Sons, the renowned British security printer noted for their work on Commonwealth and Middle Eastern currency. The catalog data confirms 'Harrison (without imprint)' as the printer. The visible guilloche patterns, fine line work, detailed cross-hatching, and precision multi-color registration throughout indicate classical intaglio security printing techniques. The complexity of the geometric patterns and figural engraving on both sides is characteristic of Harrison's high-security banknote production standards of the mid-20th century.

This note is identifiable as the standard 1951 (SH 1330) issue of Pick P-57. The visual analysis confirms the characteristic features of this variety: the third portrait of Shah Pahlavi in civilian attire, the vertical yellow security thread, the mythical/historical figural center motif on the obverse, and the Darius historical scene on the reverse. The specific serial number '۲۴۸/۶۸۱۹۵' indicates a mid-range printing batch. No evidence of overprints, signature varieties, or color variants is visible. The Harrison printing without imprint is standard for this Pick number. Later related issues (such as Pick P-62) exist but represent distinct subsequent issues.