Rare Iranian Coins and Medals Certified by NGC Offered in SINCONA Auction

A stunning collection of more than 350 vintage Iranian coins and medals certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) is being offered in SINCONA Auction 85. The Kian Collection may be the finest group ever assembled of machine-struck coinage of the Qajar and Pahlavi Dynasties, which ruled what is modern-day Iran for nearly two centuries, starting in 1789. Bidding is already underway for the auction, which will be held October 23, 2023.

One of the top lots is an Iran AH1313(1895) 50th Year of Reign 25 Toman graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1006). Naser al-Din Shah Qajar ruled from 1848 until his assassination in 1896, bringing modernization to his kingdom. His reign was the longest of the seven Qajar monarchs, and coins were struck in anticipation of the commemoration of his half century on the throne. However, after he was killed, these 25 Toman coins were recalled and melted. This particular example, weighing 71.7 grams (over 2 ounces), is the only known survivor, according to the auction house. It has a starting price of 60,000 CHF (about $66,000).

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Naser al-Din was succeeded by his son, Muzaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, who ruled for just over a decade. Though Muzaffar al-Din inherited a government in financial peril, he maintained a strong appetite for traveling in luxury, which included three visits to Europe. Another great rarity in the auction is from one of those visits: an Iran AH1318(1900) Muzaffar Visits Europe Gold Medal graded NGC MS 65 (lot 1156). Designed by renowned French sculptor Henri-August Patey, the medal was presented to Muzaffar al-Din Shah during his visit to Paris in 1900. It is the only example in the NGC Census and has a starting price of 60,000 CHF (about $66,000).

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Other NGC-certified highlights pedigreed to the Kian Collection in this sale include:

• an Iran AH1307(1890) Return From Europe 25 Toman graded NGC UNC Details (lot 1005), with a starting price of 50,000 CHF (about $55,000)
• an Iran AH1326(1908) Muhammad Ali Shah Mint Visit Gold Medal graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1190), with a starting price of 35,000 CHF (about $39,000)
• an Iran AH1318(1900) Iran Brussels Visit Gold Medal graded NGC AU Details (lot 1157), with a starting price of 35,000 CHF (about $39,000)
• an Iran AH1318(1900) Bust Type Restrike 10 Toman graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1102), with a starting price of 35,000 CHF (about $39,000)
• an Iran AH1337/1332 5th Year of Reign Gold Medal - Bust Right graded NGC MS 63 (lot 1357), with a starting price of 30,000 CHF (about $33,000)
• an Iran AH1336/1337 Gold 2,000 Dinars - 10th Year of Reign, Coronation Type graded NGC MS 63 (lot 1257), with a starting price of 30,000 CHF (about $33,000)
• an Iran AH1318(1900) 5 Toman - Lion and Sun Type graded NGC MS 62 (lot 1105), with a starting price of 30,000 CHF (about $33,000)
• an Iran AH1318(1900) 10 Toman - Lion and Sun Type graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1103), with a starting price of 30,000 CHF (about $33,000)
• an Iran AH1297(1880) 5,000 Dinars graded NGC PF 64 (lot 1070), with a starting price of 30,000 CHF (about $33,000)
• an Iran AH1311(1893) 10 Toman - Special Bust graded NGC MS 61+ (lot 1009), with a starting price of 30,000 CHF (about $33,000)

Starting prices are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.