KM-920. VERY RARE muling of the reverse from KM-917 and the obverse of KM-919. Reportedly restruck by the Bank Melli sometime in the 1930s. Nasir al-Din Shah started out his reign as a progressive reformer making many advancements for his country including the introduction of the telegraph and postal services, built roads, opened the first western style school and launched Irans first newspaper. He made several visits to Europe and was impressed with the technology he saw. As time went on he became increasingly conservative and unpopular with the various factions and was assassinated on May 1, 1896 by Mirza Reza Kermani while praying in the shrine of Shah-Abdol-Azim. It is said that the weapon used in the assassination was a rusty revolver and that if Nasir al-Din Shah had worn a thicker coat or was shot at a longer distance he would have survived the attempt on his life. Before his death it is reported that he said "I will rule you differently if I survive!"His funeral took place 6 months after his death and was buried in the Shah-Abdol-Azim shrine where he was assassinated. His tombstone renowned as a masterpiece of Qajar-era sculpture, bears his full effigy and is made of one piece of marble. It is now kept in the Golestan Palace museum in Tehran. Some flatness to the highest points of relief from being struck with old used dies. Nevertheless a very full strike giving sharp legends and inscriptions and nice detail. Very appealing with old cabinet toning attesting to the wholesome and never disturbed surfaces. Underlying luster and aquamarine highlights make themselves known around some devices. Finest certified at both NGC and PCGS. An interesting and seldom offered piece..NGC MS-64+.
