Iran new 500,000- and 1-million rial cheques (B291a and B292a) confirmed

In August 2008, the central bank issued new cheques, which it claims are not banknotes although they are legal tender just as if they were. They were introduced to replace the array of high-denomination promissory notes which private banks had been issuing to enable their customers to carry out large transactions and which are now banned as the central bank has moved to reassert control over the money supply.

B291 (PNL): 500,000 rials (US$19)

Dark pink and brown. Front: Farsi text; main gate of Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Back: English and Farsi text; calligraphic text (Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran); Islamic design of flower. 2.5-mm windowed security thread with demetalized 500000. Solid security thread with printed Farsi script. Watermark: Ferdowsi (Hakīm Abu’l-Qasim Firdawsī Tūsī). Printer: (TAKAB). 160 x 75 mm. Paper.

a. No date. Sig. Mazaheri. Intro: 16.08.2008.

B292 (PNL): 1,000,000 rials (US$37)

Light blue and light brown. Front: Farsi text; ruins of Darius Palace in Persepolis. Back: English and Farsi text; calligraphic text (Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran); Islamic design of flower. 2.5-mm windowed security thread with demetalized 1000000. Solid security thread with printed Farsi script. Watermark: Ferdowsi (Hakīm Abu’l-Qasim Firdawsī Tūsī) and electrotype denomination. Printer: (TAKAB). 160 x 75 mm. Paper.

a. No date. Sig. Mazaheri. Intro: 23.08.2008.

Courtesy of Ali Nasseri.