Mughal Empire, Shah Akbar the Great Silver Rupee

The Mughal Empire was a fabulously wealthy Islamic dynasty that dominated the Indian subcontinent from 1526 to 1857, when it was supplanted by the British. Akbar I, also known as Akbar the Great, was the third Mughal emperor who reigned from 1556 to 1605. He came to the throne at the age of 13 years after the death of his father Humayun and went on to rule for almost 50 years. These square rupees were struck during his reign from almost pure silver on thick flans with wonderfully flowing Arabic calligraphy and have excellent eye appeal. Rupees were a high denomination coin at the time and represented substantial buying power. Small, unobtrusive merchants test marks are common on this series, they were made using a punch to verify that it wasn’t a silver plated forgery. The coins weigh around 11.50 grams and grade Good Very Fine.