ISLAMIC, Persia (Post-Mongol). Zands. Muhammad Karim Khan, AH 1164-1193 / AD 1751-1779. 1/2 Mohur (Gold, 17 mm, 5.39 g, 5 h), type D, Isfahan, AH 1184 = 1770/1. The Shiʿa kalmia, ‘lā ilāha illā Allāh / Muḥammad / rasūl Allāh ʿAlī wa/lī Allāh’ (‘There is no deity but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Ali is the friend of Allah’ in Arabic). Rev. Within a circle, ‘zarb-e dār al-salṭana Iṣfahān’ (‘Struck in the Abode of the Sultanate Isfahan’ in Persian); below, ‘1184’. Album 2789. Rare. In NGC encapsulation, graded AU 58. The only example graded by NGC. Very minor weakness, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Asha & Ardeshir Dabestani Collection, ex Album 48, 18 January 2024, 578.