The older coinage before 1857, a most irregular coin—of one kran—varied considerably and had an approximate average fineness of 855, an average weight (grains troy) of 75.88, and a weight in pure silver of grains troy 64.877, which is below the correct standard by no less than 6.76 per cent.
In the newest coinage of two-kran pieces, the coin most used in cities,—large payments being always made in two-kran pieces—we have an average fineness of 892.166; average weight, grains troy, 119.771; weight in pure silver, grains troy, 124.69, or 2.55 per cent. below the standard.
In nickel coinage, composed of 25 per cent. of nickel and 75 per cent. of copper, we have:—
| Two shai pieces (grains troy) | 69.45 |
| One shai pieces (grains troy) | 46.30 |
The copper coins are in great variety. There is the abassi (one-fifth of a kran) worth four shais, and very scarce now.
The sadnar (one-tenth of a kran) equivalent to two shais.
The (one) shai (one-twentieth of a kran).
The pul (one-fortieth of a kran), half a shai.
And the jendek (one-eightieth of a kran) a quarter shai; this coin only found in circulation in Khorassan.
When it is remembered that at the present rate of exchange the kran can be reckoned at fivepence in English money, and the toman as roughly equivalent to one American dollar, it will be seen that the subdivisions of the kran are rather minute for the average European mind.