New Iranian Bank Note Replaces Nuclear Symbols with University Gates · Global Voices
Mahsa Alimardani

The Central Bank of Iran revealed a new 50,000 Rial bank note to depict the gates of the University of Tehran on the back. The image replaces a map of Iran with a nuclear symbol.
The Central Bank of Iran unveiled a new 50,000 Rial bank note on March 2, in what has been deemed a “political move” by some observers. The new note, which was unveiled with members of the University of Tehran's faculty on March 4, 2015, replaces the nuclear symbols that covered a map of Iran with the gates of the University of Tehran.
At the moment, the Iranian government is in negotiations over its nuclear program with the P5+1 in Lausanne, Switzerland. The deadline for the negotiations are set for the end of March. A nuclear deal will determine the level of Iran's nuclear enrichment in addition to how sanctions will be lifted from Iran.
Sociologist and Associate Director of Princeton University's Iran Center, Kevan Harris, posted the news on his Twitter page:
Iran's Central Bank issues new 50K rial note. Old one had nuclear symbol, new one has Tehran University gates: http://t.co/AM8aN0yhX7
— Kevan Harris (@kevankharris) March 16, 2015
Yes it is political. The previous 50K bill: http://t.co/pOl2IXB5ZZ
— Kevan Harris (@kevankharris) March 16, 2015
Also replaces a quote from Muhamad with one from Ferdowsi, but I won't go there because the Muhamad quote was pure Iranian nationalism too.
— Kevan Harris (@kevankharris) March 16, 2015
In conversation with Global Voices, Harris explained the change is a reference back to an older bill printed soon after the 1979 revolution:
An old 500 Rial bill printed following the 1979 Islamic Revolution first depicted the University of Tehran gates. Images from Wikipedia.
The tehran gates were on the 500 rial bill issued in 1981 or later. So it is a reminder of that bill, but also a reminder of the importance of higher academia and education in the making of the revolutionary order and all the associations that go along with it. But, of course, nuclear energy and its association with science and progress are a similar tactic.