Orumiah — known today as Urmia in northwestern Iran — operated as a semi-autonomous urban mint during the late Qajar period, issuing copper falus that circulated locally when the central government's supply of small change was chronically inadequate. These municipal issues were a practical response to a real shortage, not a ceremonial gesture, and their circulation was largely confined to the bazaar economy of the city itself.
Album 3271 covers a narrow and poorly documented series. The Zeno reference provides the primary photographic baseline for attribution of this type.
Orumiah — known today as Urmia in northwestern Iran — operated as a semi-autonomous urban mint during the late Qajar period, issuing copper falus that circulated locally when the central government's supply of small change was chronically inadequate. These municipal issues were a practical response to a real shortage, not a ceremonial gesture, and their circulation was largely confined to the bazaar economy of the city itself.
Album 3271 covers a narrow and poorly documented series. The Zeno reference provides the primary photographic baseline for attribution of this type.