5 Azadi Revolution

Issued to mark the Islamic Revolution of 1979, this coin was produced by Bank Melli Iran in the immediate aftermath of the Shah's departure and Khomeini's return from exile — a period of institutional upheaval during which the Iranian mint was operating under rapidly changing political authority. The "Azadi" series had existed since 1971 as a bullion coinage under imperial auspices; the 1979 issues represent the first strikes under the new Islamic Republic, with the issuing authority unchanged in name but entirely transformed in character.

The 5 Azadi is the largest denomination of the series. Few Western collections acquired examples in the years immediately following the revolution, given the near-total freeze on Iranian financial assets that followed the hostage crisis in November 1979.