Imam Reza (A.S) International Foundation for Culture and Arts Journal of Razavi Culture 2345-2560 Articles in Press 2025 11 17 The Function of Ziyarat-Neshan and Imam Reza (AS) Birth Coins at Astan Quds Razavi from the Late Qajar Period to the Islamic Revolution The Function of Ziyarat-Neshan and Imam Reza (AS) Birth Coins at Astan Quds Razavi from the Late Qajar Period to the Islamic Revolution 234429 10.22034/farzv.2025.518701.2083 FA Ali Najafzadeh Assistant Professor of History Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Birjand. Samane Sadeqi teacher Journal Article 2025 04 23 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.<br>1 3 - 4 6 8 9 4 7 9 7 5 34 ----------------- --------- 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.<br>1 3 - 4 6 8 9 4 7 9 7 5 34 ----------------- ---------