Reza Pahlavi, founder of the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran, was the shah of the country from 1925 to 1941, born in 1878. Reza Khan quickly rose through the ranks during his military career and staged a coup in 1921 that overthrew the Qajar dynasty. Once in power, Reza Shah launched a program of modernization that included reforming the education and judicial system, as well as infrastructural improvements such as for example, road construction and expansion of the railway network. However, his policies were not without controversy, as he maintained some of the unpopular economic concessions of the Qajar era and often clashed with the country's religious leaders. In 1895, Reza Shah married Maryam Savadkoohi, who was his cousin. The marriage lasted until Maryam's death in 1911, the couple had 1 daughter: Princess Hamdam al-Saltaneh Pahlavi (1903–1992). Shah Reza's second wife was Nimtaj Ayromlou, later Tadj ol-Molouk (1896–1982). The couple married in 1916, and when Reza Khan became king, Queen Tadj ol-Molouk was his official wife. They had four children together: Princess Shams Pahlavi (1917–1996), Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1919–1980), Princess Asraf Pahlavi (1919–2016), Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi (1922–1954). Shah Reza's third wife was Turan Amirsoleimani ( 1905–1994) who came from the Qajar dynasty. The couple married in 1922 but divorced in 1923 and had a son, Prince Gholam Reza Pahlavi (1923–2017). Shah Reza's fourth and last wife, Esmat Dowlatshahi (1905–1995), was a member of the Qajar dynasty. . In 1923, he married her, who accompanied her into exile. Esmat was Shah Reza's favorite wife, who lived in the Marble Palace. The couple had five children: Prince Abdul Reza Pahlavi (1924–2004), Prince Ahmad Reza Pahlavi (1925–1981), Prince Mahmoud Reza Pahlavi (1926–2001), Princess Fatemeh Pahlavi (1928–1987)[132], Hamid Reza Prince Pahlavi (1932–1992). During the reign of Reza Shah, Iran went through significant changes, laying the foundations for the country to become a modern state. However, in 1941, as a result of the Anglo-Soviet invasion, he was forced to abdicate and his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi took his place. Like his son after him, Reza Shah died in exile. After the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union invaded Iran on 25 August 1941, the British offered to keep his family in power if Shah Reza agreed to exile. He died of heart disease on July 26, 1944.

Shah Reza Pahlavi came to power in Iran in 1925 and immediately began to transform the economy. As part of this, he introduced a new coinage that was modernized and met international standards. The Shah introduced new coins and banknotes, all of which depicted the Shah's face. Coins were made of copper, silver, and gold, and banknotes were made of paper. The new coinage had many advantages, helping to strengthen the Shah's power and legitimacy. He modernized the economy and facilitated trade with other countries. The Shah's coinage was an important milestone in Iran's financial system. It helped strengthen the country's economy and international position.