Journal of Razavi Culture

Abstract Coins, as valuable material objects, possess various cultural functions beyond their economic role. Due to these cultural functions, from the late Qajar period, coins known as Ziyarat-Neshan were minted in Mashhad. Additionally, starting in 1950 CE (1328 SH), Astan Quds Razavi minted Imam Reza (AS) Birth Coins for use in religious ceremonies, which became a cultural symbol. Over time, these birth coins gained diverse functions within this significant endowment and were minted and widely used over three decades. No prior research has explored the functions of Ziyarat-Neshan and Imam Reza (AS) Birth Coins. Thus, this article addresses the key question: What functions did Ziyarat-Neshan and Imam Reza (AS) Birth Coins serve at Astan Quds Razavi? This historical study, conducted through library-based research using Astan Quds Razavi documents and Mashhad-printed newspapers, reveals that the newly minted coins, known as Ziyarat-Neshan in Mashhad and Imam Reza (AS) Birth Coins in Tehran, served multiple functions within this major endowment. They were distributed as gifts to guests on occasions such as Imam Reza’s (AS) birth anniversary, Imam Hussein’s (AS) birth anniversary, and Nowruz. Moreover, they were presented as blessed tokens to notable domestic figures such as athletes, ministers, courtiers, and foreign dignitaries—including presidents, ministers, their entourages, and other prominent pilgrims—participating in the shrine’s dust-clearing ceremonies. Additionally, a significant portion of the Imam Reza (AS) Birth Coins, due to their spiritual significance, were sold as blessed items in the Astan Quds Razavi Museum.
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Abstract The Safavid era marked a significant expansion of Shia culture in Iran, leading to the establishment of numerous rituals and ceremonies honoring the Imams. Among these, the birthday celebrations of the Imams have gained prominence in recent centuries, becoming an integral part of Shia customs and traditions. The holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad serves as a focal point for many of these religious ceremonies, which are conducted with meticulous attention to detail and specific protocols. Some of these ceremonies trace their origins to initiatives undertaken during the Qajar and Pahlavi eras, highlighting the cultural, sociological, and historical significance of understanding their formation and the factors that influenced their development. This research focuses on the birthday celebration of Imam Reza in Mashhad, a pivotal religious observance for the Shia that has witnessed remarkable growth in the past two centuries. The primary research question seeks to identify the factors that transformed this birthday ceremony into a grand Shia celebration during the Qajar era and the subsequent Islamic Revolution. The findings of the research reveal that the Qajar dynasty, particularly through the initiatives of Naser al-Din Shah, Mozaffar al-Din Shah, and officials stationed in Mashhad, played a crucial role in the development of Imam Reza’s birthday celebration. During the Pahlavi era, administrative discipline, executive instructions, the creation of dedicated endowments, and media attention contributed to the expansion and widespread observance of the birthday celebration in Mashhad.