NGC Registry Featured Set: Iran

This month’s set is not a collection of a large quantity, but it is certainly rich in quality. The Iran Silver Commemorative Coinage, SH1350//1971 Proof set, found here, should not be missed.

There is no better way to describe the unique nature of this collection other than through the words of collector and owner, dasmatterhorn, himself:

“Minted in ... 1971, this coin set serves as a poignant tribute to a significant historical milestone. Crafted by the Royal Canadian Mint and commissioned by Iran, these coins were created to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, an empire founded by the venerable Cyrus the Great in 550 BC. The set comprises a diverse array of denominations and designs, each meticulously adorned with elements drawn from pivotal moments in Persian history. These coins hold considerable appeal for connoisseurs of numismatics and collectors with a deep-seated fascination for Iranian history and culture.”

Iran SH1350//1971 Silver 200 Rials - Persian Empire, 2,500th Anniversary graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo Click images to enlarge.

Dasmatterhorn’s set is 100% complete and has held the coveted first-place ranking for three consecutive years! Featuring griffins, the ancient and ceremonial capital of Persepolis, possessions of Cyrus II and more, each coin offers a distinct window into the culture of the immense and powerful Persian Empire at that time. With several NGC Top Pops and sharp, high-quality images for all coins, the photo gallery is impressive. Be sure to check it out here.

With such a distinct and unusual theme, one may wonder what prompted this collector to focus on this NGC Registry set. Dasmatterhorn shares:

“My personal journey into collecting this remarkable set was ignited by my profound interest in both ancient and contemporary Iranian history. Assembling this collection proved to be a rewarding pursuit, with individual coins procured through auctions held across the globe. Additionally, the complete five-coin set can occasionally be acquired in its original packaging, though these specimens often exhibit a rich patina while remaining in superb condition...”

In a nod to Numismatic Conservation Services™ (NCS®), an affiliate of NGC, he continues:

“To preserve the integrity of these coins, I have availed myself of NGC's conservation services on numerous occasions, eradicating the detrimental effects of PVC contamination caused by the original plastic packaging...”

Iran SH1350//1971 Silver 50 Rials - Darius I, Griffin Frieze graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo Click images to enlarge.

We would like to thank you, dasmatterhorn, for sharing your personal perspective and your high-quality collection of NGC-certified coins for the enjoyment of all in the NGC coin collecting community. We look forward to future updates that you may have planned for this set and others. 2024 will bring exciting updates and is sure to be a banner year across all NGC Registry sets!

The NGC Registry is a free online platform where collectors register and display their certified coins and can compete against other collectors around the world for recognition and prizes. The NGC Registry continues to be the world’s most comprehensive online coin collecting platform thanks to you, our valued collectors. This popular resource now boasts over 33,000 users, over 327,000 registered sets and over 1.78 million registered coins. In January of 2023, we awarded more than $35,000 in prizes — the highest prize value awarded yet! The judges are hard at work choosing sets for the 2023 awards! Check out the 2023 award details here.

Would you like your set to be featured in a future article? 100% completion in a set is not always feasible. Perhaps we will choose someone whose set has a personal story behind it or some interesting historical facts. We are looking for those sets where someone has taken the time to make the set unique and a reflection of his/her personal collecting style. It may be your set! Stay tuned.

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