TEHRAN - Iran issued a new high-value banknote Monday commemorating its prowess in nuclear technology at a time of mounting tension with the West over its atomic programme, official media reported.
The new 50,000 rial note -- at around five dollars worth more than twice the value of any other note in circulation -- sports a picture of the standard nuclear insignia of electrons in orbit around an atomic nucleus.
"If the science exists in this constellation, men from Persia will reach it," says the calligraphic legend beside the schematic atom, quoting a saying from the Prophet Mohammed.
State media said that six million of the notes were released into circulation on Monday and were being delivered to banks in the course of the day.
On the front of the note is a picture of the Islamic republic's founder, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which according to the law must be on all Iranian currency.
Iran has defied UN demands for a halt to sensitive nuclear activities and instead has pressed on with its atomic programme which has become a source of national pride.
The issuing of the note also comes at a time of rising prices of basic foodstuffs in Iran such as poultry, red meat and vegetables, although the central bank has vehemently denied any link between the new high-denomination note and inflation.
03/12/2007 13:37 GMT