Preliminary identification

Iranian 50 Dinars Bronze Coin, Lion and Sun Motif

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

This is a bronze 50 Dinars coin from Iran, featuring the iconic Persian Lion and Sun (Shir-o-Khorshid) motif on one side and the denomination within a floral wreath on the other. It represents the transitional period of Persian history as it moved from the Qajar dynasty into the Pahlavi era.

Story

Struck during a time of immense political transformation in Persia, this coin carries the ancient Lion and Sun symbol, which dates back to the 12th century. It was a pocket-change witness to the birth of modern Iran.

Maker / Origin

Produced by the state mint in Tehran, these coins were minted using machinery imported from Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to modernize Persia's currency system away from hand-hammered coinage.

Condition & Value

The coin shows moderate circulation wear, with softening to the high points of the lion's body and the wreath leaves. There is a natural aged patina and some surface dirt, but no major gouges or corrosion. This circulated condition keeps it in a highly accessible price bracket.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.