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Auction: 24038 - The Dr. Martin M Mortazavi Collection of Persian Banknotes
Lot: 17

(x) Imperial Bank of Persia, Colour Trial Specimen, Teheran, 1 Toman, ND (1924-32),
the second series, introduced in late 1924, brought several changes compared to the first series, including the discontinuation of certain denominations. All of the 1 Toman notes are now printed by Waterlow and Sons, a departure from the previous printer, Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., which exclusively handled all denominations of the first series. Despite this shift, Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. continued production for other denominations within the second series, resulting in an unusual coexistence of two printing entities.

The front of this colour trial specimen exhibits light green and twilight coral tones, along with black, differing from the green, pink, and black used in circulating notes.

Additionally, a notable change throughout the series is that, for the first and only time, the portrait of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar is printed on the left side. The words "specimen" and "Waterlow & Sons" are overprinted horizontally in red at the upper and lower centre.

On the back, shades of green and brown replace the pink and green hues of circulating notes. "Payable at Tehran only" is printed in brown on the upper central margin, while "specimen" and "Waterlow & Sons" appear diagonally on the left and right sides. Additionally, the note features three cancellation holes. To combat counterfeiting risks posed by advancing photographic technologies, an emblematic lion-and-sun motif watermark was introduced in the second series,



(Pick 11cts, BNB 113), in PMG holder 65 EPQ Gem Uncirculated, only 2 notes in higher grades on PMG Census, rare!

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£2,600

Starting price
£2100