IRAN half million rials authentic currency

Middle East NE P164A 500000 Rials (50 Tomans) 2025 UNC—red—FULL view of mosque

Middle East NE P164A 500000 Rials (50 Tomans) 2025 UNC—red—FULL view of mosque

Middle East NE P164A 500000 Rials (50 Tomans) 2025 UNC—red—FULL view of mosque

$4.99
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Middle East NE P164A 500000 Rials (50 Tomans) 2025 UNC—red—FULL view of mosque
$4.99
  • Color: red, maroon
  • Front:
    • Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad
    • Full view of the shrine. The note with the partial view of only the top (dome) is P164
  • Back:
    • Mount Damavand
  • Security Features include:
    • Security thread 
    • Watermark: Portrait of Ferdowsi (Epic Poet)
  • Denomination: 500,000 rials equal to 50 tomans (10,000 rials = 1 toman)
  • Composition: Paper
  • Size: 160 × 75 mm

 

  • Variety: P#153A — Tahmaseb Mazaheri (Governor), Mahmoud Bahmani (Governor), or Valiollah Seif (Governor)
  • Front: Imam Reza Shrine, Mashad: full view
  • Back: Mount Damavand
  • Watermark: Ferdowsi, the Persian Epic Poet

Imam Reza Shrine, Mashad

The Imam Reza Shrine in Mashad is one of the largest mosque complexes in the world and the holiest site in Iran. It is the mausoleum of Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (Imam Reza), the eighth Imam of Twelver Shia Islam, who died in 818 CE. The shrine draws tens of millions of pilgrims annually and is a defining symbol of Iranian Shia identity and devotion.

Ferdowsi — Watermark Subject

Abolqasem Ferdowsi (c. 940–1020 CE) was the greatest epic poet of the Persian literary tradition. His monumental work, the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), preserved the Persian language and national mythology through the Arab conquest and remains a cornerstone of Iranian cultural identity. His portrait as watermark underscores the deep reverence Iran holds for its pre-Islamic heritage alongside its Islamic present.

A Final Reflection: A Note Between Two Worlds

The Iran Cheque series of 500,000 Rials represents a fascinating intersection of sacred architecture and literary heritage — the shrine of a revered Imam on the face, the ghost of a poet in the watermark. Issued during a period of economic pressure and currency devaluation, these high-denomination notes were a practical response to inflation, yet they carry imagery of timeless cultural weight. For the collector, they offer a window into modern Iran's dual identity: deeply Islamic, yet fiercely proud of its ancient Persian roots.

A scarce and visually striking note, the P153A circulated across three signature varieties between 2008 and 2014, making variety attribution a rewarding pursuit for the specialist collector.

Live in the United States? No surprise tariff bills when you receive your shipment!

  • Since the US president enacted high tariffs earlier in 2025, US collectors ordering from dealers in other countries have sometimes received nasty surprises - bills of 25-35 dollars for processing tariffs, in addition to 10-50% tariffs on the purchase amount.
  • World Money Store ships from the United States, so any and all tariffs due are already covered by us.
  • Live outside the United States? You are not affected by this issue.

Shipping

Add all items to your cart and pay in one transaction for the best rate. 

If you make separate transactions, this results in additional charges to us of 0.40 USD which we will deduct from your shipping refund. Request a shipping refund in a note with your order, or message us.

Shipping outside the U.S., Option 1: inexpensive ordinary airmail letter

We offer shipping via untracked standard airmail letter without a customs declaration for around 2.50 USD. If you require tracking, you must choose eBay International Shipping or USPS and UPS options as offered. These take between 1 and 3 weeks and cost between 14 and 25 USD depending on the country and service selected.

  • Letters to Canada, European Union*, Armenia, Hong Kong, Israel/Palestine, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the UK take between one and THREE weeks.
  • Letters to Australia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Iceland, Malaysia, Panama, Qatar, Sri Lanka and EU/UK/Aus/NZ overseas territories take between one and FIVE weeks.
  • We do not ship untracked to *Bulgaria, *Croatia, or any other country not listed
Shipping outside the U.S., Option 2:
tracked package

This option costs between 14 and 25 USD depending on the country. Please message us to arrange for this service.

Payment

Immediate payment is required upon selecting "Buy It Now" or upon checking out through the cart.

We accept payment via PayPal, all Major Credit Cards, Debit Cards and Google Pay.

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Who is World Money Store?

World Money Store is me, Βrian Grοss, the sole proprietor of this small business, based in Washington D.C. I've spend half my adult life in The Netherlands and Mexico and have an addiction to travel, history and languages (Spanish, Dutch Russian and a few others); Arabic my current challenge. My personal instagram is @df2dc.

I've been on ebay for 22 years, and I am also on Whatnot. I put together the website myself, and do all the purchasing.

I travel around the world to personally select a range of banknotes that I KNOW match the interests of my customers, and by traveling to the right places, I get them at the best prices, too.

I have three main groups of customers:

1. the ones who love diverse colorful and affordable notes from around the world

2. those who love to own pieces of the propaganda of communist dictatorships (Cuba, North Korea) and "bad guys" like the Ayatollah, Saddam, Gadaffi. Iran (Shah, Ayatollah), Syria (Assad, current).

3. those who seek Venezuelan and Iranian currency. We sell banknotes for collecting purposes only (our intention).

I happen to have a lot of depth and breadth in Mexico and Brazil, in addition to Cuba and Iran.

I don't focus on anything from the U.S. and Canada, items from before World War II, "lucky" serial numbers, or PMG-graded items.

Buy with Confidence

  • You will receive (a) banknote(s) similar to the one in the picture, in the condition mentioned in the listing title such as UNC, VF, etc. See below for definitions.
  • Serial numbers will vary
  • Authenticity: All banknotes are guaranteed genuine currency, sourced from reliable suppliers and verified by our team. Exception: some souvenir and gold foil notes that are clearly marked as souvenir, fantasy, gold foil, etc.
  • Return the banknote within 14 days of receipt for your money back if not satisfied.
  • Save on shipping — make one transaction!

Banknote Condition Guide (UNC, XF, VF, F etc.)

  • UNC (Uncirculated): No folds/creases; full crispness/sheen. May have "half moon" at edge of security thread.
  • AU (About Uncirculated): Nearly perfect, with a single light fold or handling mark that doesn't break the paper. Crisp and colorful.
  • XF a.k.a. EF (Extremely Fine): Crisp, firm, bright; a few light folds or one firm crease.
  • VF Plus: Minor folds/stains; white areas are bright, still not quite Extra Fine.
  • VF (Very Fine): Several folds; paper firmer than average; corners lightly worn.
  • VF Minus: VF but may show foxing (yellow/brown patches), thinner paper, more folds/wrinkles/small tears (1-3 mm), otherwise intact.
  • F (Fine): Well-used, many folds or creases; paper is soft; some soiling and/or pen marks.
  • VG (Very Good) / Limp/worn/faded with heavy creasing/edge wear/tears.

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