Crude Modern types, ~16mm, WM, sometimes gilt
These tokens seems to be associated with weddings. They are probably a totally
separate tradition from the "arras" tokens. I am told that the writing
is in Farsi and means May it be blessed", or "May it be fortunate." The
tokens are from Iran. Some tokens of this kind are still sold by stores that
carry Iranian products. I have had trouble finding out much about these tokens,
what little information I have on them was sent to me by people who saw the
token images on the web. If you know anything about these tokens, or
can point me to an article or book that has information about them, pleas email
me: pineconeforge(at)gmail.com [Note: I have some more varieties not illustrated
here, but these images show the main types that I know of.] [Note2: There are
also some "wedding banknotes" that probably serve a similar function.]
Crude Modern types, ~16mm, WM, sometimes gilt
Higher Quality Modern Type, 19mm brass
Old High-Quality Tokens, ~16 mm, probably silver
I have read that the mirror and candles represent light and fire,two very important elements in the Zoroastrian religion.
I posted a question to the soc.culture.iranian newsgroup, and got the following responses:
I remember as a kid we used to get them when they were thrown all over the bride and groom after the vows were exchanged, and the kids would rush over each other to grab the coins.
The actual tradition is to throw small coins as the bride and groom walk/dance etc. Unfortunately in the recent time this has become an expensive practice, so hence the "fake" coins. Plus there aren't small coins in Iran any more.
Javan is correct, they are not old nor rare, nor is this custom out of practice. I was in Tehran 3 weeks ago at a wedding in northern Tehran (Elahieh), and the coins were used. They are put on a table during the wedding ceremony (aghd) along with other symbolic items. People no longer throw them before the bride and groom as they walk to the "altar" or "sofreh aghd" as they used to, now they are placed on the "sofreh aghd" (Persian version of the altar where the wedding ceremony takes place).
The tokens are also placed inside of wedding favors, which are quite similar to the small packages of candied almonds given as wedding favors in the US. They are called "sekkeh mobarak bad", which literally translates to "congratulation coin". They are still used. I have seen them in every wedding I have attended.
I also got the following information by e-mail: The writings on the token on your site are Persian (Farsi). They mean "May it be blessed", or "May it be fortunate". The phrase written on them is a common saying for any happy occasion such as a new child being born, a new job, marriage, etc. The tokens are usually thrown on the bride and the groom, much like throwing of the rice in the western weddings. Of course they are not tossed up too high, or shot directly at them ;). Often they are also given to children to run around and "spread" the coins around the court yard or wherever the ceremonies are taking place.
2014 - The links I had for places to purchase these token stopped working a
while back. I did a little web searching, and all I could find was www.sadaf.com,
which sells a "coin
for wedding" and a "coin
for the new year" (the wedding coins are sold in sets of 50;
if anyone gets one, I'd love to buy or trade for one or two of them!).
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