5 Pahlevi Iran Gold Reza Khan Pahlevi (1878 - 1944)

KM-1116
Reza Khan Pahlevi, 1925-1941. Bust with plumed hat. Reverse: Legend. Mintage 785 pieces struck.
Reza Shah was an extremely intelligent and ambitious man who accomlished much, alienated many, and ultimately caused his own undoing. His basic foreign policy was to play off the Russians and the British against each other. Both countries disliked the monarch, but played the game to attempt to gain favor with the geographically important Iran. This policy worked until Britain and Russia united in 1941 to combat Nazi Germany, and to depose the Shah.