In October 2004, the central bank of the Islamic republic of Iran announced for the release of the new coin series of Iran. The coins are minted in denominations of 50, 100, 250 and 500 Rials for the first time. The latter which is minted as a bimetallic coin is designed completely different from the other ones that kept the same style. Other denominations have been reduced in size and contain some minor changes. They will be put in circulation from October 26 2004 throughout the country.

50 & 100 Rials.

Top: The 50 Rls. coin. The obverse resembles previous series and shows the holy shrine of Hazrat Masooma in the city of Qom. Reverse contains the script : Islamic Republic of Iran at the top; 50 Rials in the middle; and the year 1383 A.H. (2004) at the bottom surrounded by a wreath of laurel. It is made of a Cu-Ni-Al alloy with an approximate weight of 3.5 gr. and a diameter of 2.02 cm.

Bottom: The 100 Rls. coin. The obverse is exactly the same as the previous series and the reverse has the general changes of this series. Its diameter is 2.25 cm and weighs about 4.6 gr and made of an alloy of Cu-Ni-Al.

250 Rials.

With no change from the previous series in design, what makes it different is the size and the Cu-Ni-Zn alloy. It weighs about 5.5 gr and the diameter is 2.45 cm.

500 Rials.

The only bimetallic coin of this series and a new denomination through the history of coinage in Iran.
Obverse: The mythic phoenix of the Ferdowsi's Shahnaameh (A well-known mythological poetry of Iran) depicted from the Persian miniature in the middle tablet surrounded by 12 spots and the famous Rosetta of the Persepolis bas-reliefs.
Reverse: The script "Islamic Republic of Iran " at the top; 500 Rials in the middle; and the year 1383 A.H. (2004) at the bottom .
It is made of a Cu-Ni-Al & Cu-Ni-Zn alloy with an approximate weight of 8.9 gr. and a diameter of 2.72 cm.

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