Inscribed in Persian: al-Sulṭān ibn al-Sulṭān Fatḥ-ʿAlī Shāh Qājār (“Sultan, son of Sultan, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar"). 28x29mm, 146.8 grams. Showing signs of extensive use. See the corresponding coins KM 749 (for gold toman) or KM 688 and 697 for silver rials; see Morton & Eden Ltd Auction 103 (2019) lot 93 for another brass Persian die of Fath Ali Shah.

 An exceptionally rare original brass coin die from the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar (1797–1834), measuring 28 × 29 mm and weighing 146.8 g. The finely engraved face bears the royal inscription السّلطان ابن السّلطان فتحعلی شاه قاجار, al-Sulṭān ibn al-Sulṭān Fatḥ-ʿAlī Shāh Qājār, “Sultan, son of Sultan, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar,” surrounded by a beaded border and set over the delicate floral ornament characteristic of Fath-Ali Shah's official hammered coinage. It was a die for either a silver rial or a gold toman (brass was sufficiently hard to strike good quality gold coins, since gold is a soft metal). On these coins, the obverse normally carried the ruler's name and titles while the reverse identified the mint and date. The die shows extensive evidence of actual use, including considerable wear and deformation of the body from repeated hammering.

Surviving Qajar coin dies are exceptionally rare; notably, a brass reverse die of Fath-Ali Shah from the Mashhad mint, dated AH 1223, was sold by Morton & Eden in 2019 (for 500 GBP/677 USD plus fees). The calligraphy, dotted border and especially the finely engraved floral/vine background are characteristic of Fath-Ali Shah's official coinage. The style, construction and evidence of prolonged use of the present piece are entirely consistent with a working die from a Qajar mint.