The life of Shah Nasser ad-Din between 1888 and 1894 During this period, Shah Nasser ad-Din, the ruler of the Qajar dynasty and one of the longest-reigning shahs of Persia (Iran), was at the center of numerous political, economic, and cultural events. In 1889, he visited Europe for the third time, including Budapest, where he observed technical developments and the European way of life with great interest. In this year, he concluded the infamous tobacco concession agreement with British officer Gerald Talbot, which placed the Iranian tobacco industry in foreign hands. This caused a huge public outcry and resulted in a nationwide boycott. He was eventually forced to withdraw the concession by a fatwa from a religious leader, Mirza Hassan Shirazi, which prohibited the consumption of tobacco – he was not even allowed to smoke in the Shah's harem. He continued to support photography and was the first Iranian ruler to be regularly photographed. Hundreds of portraits were taken of him during this period. The Dar al-Funun, an institution of higher learning, continued to operate, although the effectiveness of the reforms diminished and participation in education remained low. Improvements were also made in the areas of telegraphy, postal service, and road construction, but these could not offset internal discontent. During the Shah's rule, corruption and abuses by the upper classes continued to plague the population. The power of the religious leaders (ulama) was strengthened, as they provided protection for the common people. The persecution of the Bábí movement continued after an assassination attempt against him. This religious tension eventually led to his death in 1896.

Nasser ad-Din Shah was a member of the Qajar dynasty and ruled Iran from 1848 to 1896. During this period, several types of circulation coins were minted, most commonly in the Shahi and Qiran denominations. The coins were mainly made of copper and silver. For example, the 1 Shahi coin was made of copper, weighed about 4.8 grams, and was 24.7 mm in diameter. Design: The coins often bore the Shah's name in Persian script: ناصرالدین شاه قاجار (Nasser ad-Din Shah Qajar), as well as the year in the Islamic calendar. According to the Islamic calendar, these coins date from 1305–1311, which corresponds to 1888–1894. Today, these coins are sought after by collectors, especially those in good condition. Prices vary, but can be worth up to several thousand forints per piece.