This is the highest grade recorded by PMG as of October 2026.
Significance
Specimen notes of the 1974–1979 (SH 1353–1357) imperial issue represent the final, highly sophisticated series printed by De La Rue and Bradbury Wilkinson for Bank Markazi prior to the 1979 Revolution. Distributed to commercial banks and foreign central institutions for fraud prevention and identification, these uncirculated archival samples feature prominent, bold red overprints reading Specimen (نمونه) on the obverse and reverse, typically accompanied by zeroed serial numbers (e.g., 000000) or small official punch holes (perforations). Because this final Pahlavi series features refined security elements such as intricate lathework framing Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi in military uniform, complex Guilloché patterns, and specialised watermarks, high-grade Specimens are exceptionally scarce and sought-after.
Their short operational window before the monarchy's collapse makes top-certified examples (especially PMG or PCGS Choice/Gem Uncirculated grades) significant historical and numismatic rarities.
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