Lot 262

Mughal, Akbar (AH 963-1014, 1556-1605 AD), Silver Rupee, 11.40 gms, 21.70 mm, Agra Mint, Ilahi Month Khurdad (Gemini), RY 47, (Obverse) Allah-o-Akbar Jalle Jalal Lahu (transl. Allah (is the) greatest may His glory be exalted), (Reverse) Khurdad Ilahi / 47 Agrah / Zarb Rupya (transl. Gemini (month of) Ilahi (calendar) (Year) 47 struck (at) Agra). The reverse legend explicitly mentions the denomination as ‘Rupya’ inscribed in fine calligraphy, The denomination ‘Rupee’ denoting the (Indian standard of) one tola coins was introduced during the reign of Sher Shah Suri. However, the term Rupya -- denoting silver coins -- has been mentioned in Kautilya’s Arthashastra as early as the third century BC, where there is mention of rupya-rupa referring to the mintage of silver coins and tamra-rupa referring to the mintage of copper coins. The one tola standard rupee which became the defacto currency of Mughal Hindustan used both locally as well as for trade across the world, was introduced by Sher Shah Suri who replaced the extant Tanka standard silver coinage with the Rupee, As the Mughal emperor of Hindustan, Akbar continued to strike silver coins adhering to the Suri standard and for the first time, during Ilahi years 47 and 48 official coins were struck that had the actual word ‘Rupya’ inscribed on them. This series of coins is also mentioned by Abu’l Fazal in his historical treatise about the rule of Akbar: Aain-e-Akbari, The coin being offered here is a beautiful exemplar from the series, From a numismatic perspective this series is extremely rare and highly sought after by Mughal coin enthusiasts, This is only the second instance that an Indian auction is offering a coin from this extremely rare and historic series of coins issued by Akbar the great as the supreme Mughal emperor of Hindustan, Missing in all major collections, extremely fine, extremely rare.