Iran, Nasir al-Din Shah Specimen Pattern 5000 Dinars AH1297 (1879-80), Tehran Mint, Tehran mint, KM-Pn18, Poole-Unl., Rabino-Unl., SICA VI-Unl., Kian-80 (RRR). Plain Edge, , with the suns rays protruding between the sword and lions mane, with lovely toning on both sides, a magnificent example of this very rare and highly-sought presentation-quality pattern crown of Nasir al-Din Shah. Sporting a level of quality far above what can be expected for the circulation 5000 Dinars of essentially identical design. Not recorded either by Poole in the British Museum Collection nor in the Sylloge of Islamic Coins in the Ashmolean, the exact circumstances surrounding the production of this Proof remain uncertain. As recorded by Clarke and Mohabat-Ayin, as a denomination the 5 Kran was sparingly minted from the reign of Nasir al-Din through those of his two successors, which likely stemmed from the generally low gold-to-silver ratio in Iran in relation to world silver prices prevalent from 1850. Rabino notes that resulting difficulties in exchanging silver for gold, coupled with the economic mismanagement of the provincial governors, while prompting the Shah to take action, did not result in a stable monetary system--an observation verified by a Royal Mint report of 1900 recorded by Sweeny, which confirms that silver continued to pour out of Iran even after a final arrangement was reached in 1879. Although the design presented by this Pattern was adopted for two years on the coinage between AH 1296 to 1297, it ceased to be minted between AH 1298 until 1310, when a slightly amended design was produced.Some wear to the high points and some minor edge knocks but still a very impressive and rare coin