2017-05-02 Tue

Coins have always been a bridge which connects ancient India to the modern India. It tells us many things about the past. Coins are one of the most useful inventions of the mankind which facilitate easy exchange of the necessities in the society.

Most of the dynasties issued coins which had symbols, motifs, and legend of their own. The history of India can also be known with the help of these coins. Many kings have issued coins with the image of the deities. Dates on the coins also play an important role, some of the kings have issued their coins with dates, e.g., Western Kshtraps had the regnal year depicted on their coins. However, there were kings of the Mughal Dynasty like Akbar and Jahangir who has issued coins with the name of the month.

Akbar during the 29th year of his reign founded the new religion known as ‘Din-e-Ilahi’. He has changed the Hijri era from his coins to the Ilahi era, and inscribed his coins with ilahi month and regnal year.

This gold mohur issued by him reads as ‘Allahu Akbar Jale Jallaluhu’ on the obverse and the reverse of the coin reads as ‘Ilahi’ with ilahi month ‘Farwardin’ on the top line with the regnal year ‘49’ and mint name ‘Agra’ in the middle.

This coin was sold for INR 7, 40,000 at Rajgor’s Auction.