"This excellent, thorough hostory of money in Iransince the beginning of the Safavid dynasty, by leading experts in the field, is actually much more than that- it provides an essential foundation for an understanding of Iran's economic and political history in modern times.' Michael Axworthy, Director of the Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies, Exeter University 'This book fills a very major gap in Iran's economic history that has important ramifications for social and political history. Its descriptive, chronological narrative is well based on, and supported by, Persian and Western sources.' Gene R. Garthwaite, Jane and Raphael Bernstein Professor in Asian Studies, Emeritus and Professor of History, Emeritus, Dartmouth College.
Introduction
Chapter One: The Monetary System during the Safavid Period: Money, Metals and
Minting
Introduction
II. Limits on the Use of Money and the Scarcity of Current Coin
Scarcity of Current Coin
Minting Coins
i Mints
ii Technical Process
iii Gold
iv copper
v Silver
vi Local Currency Systems
VI. Arbitrage
Chapter Two: The Trade in Bullion in Safavid Times
I. Introduction
II. Government Policy until 1669
III. Restrictive Measures in the Period 1669-1684
IV. Developments after 1684
Chapter Three: The Politics of Minting
Introduction
Weight Reductions
Monetary Matters under Shah Sulayman
The Monetary Crisis of 1684-85
Developments after 1685
Chapter Four: The Monetary System under the Afsharids and Zands, 1732-1794.
The Age of Copper
Introduction
Ghilzay Afghan Period (1722-1729)
Last Safavids (1722-1736)
Afsharid period (1736-1750)
Afsharid Successors (1747-1750)
Zand Period (1759-1794)
Chapter Five. The Monetary System under the Qajars, 1779-1925
I. Minting Coins
A. Traditional Mints
i. Running the mints
ii. The production process
B. Reducing the Metal Content of Coins
C. A Modern National Mint
II. Fragmented Currency System
i. Overview: Measuring Value in a Three-Metal System
ii. Local Currencies Other than the National Standard
iii. Copper Coins
iv. Silver Coins
v. Gold Coins
vi. Limited Use of Money in Trade
III. Supply of Bullion and Specie
i. Local Production of Bullion
ii. Importing Bullion
IV. Silver’s Loss of Value
i. Adjusting Ratios among Coins
ii. Switching to a Gold Standard?
V. Paper Currency
i. IBP’s Practices
ii. Limits to Acceptance of Paper Currency
VI. Money at the End of the Qajar Dynasty
Afterword
Bibliography
Index