Jahangir (AH 1014-1037 /1605-1627 AD), Agra Mint, Silver Rupee, AH 1033 /19 RY, Complete flan, "Yaft" Couplet, Graded by PCGS as MS 62, Zeno#249668 , (Wt: 11.05 g, Dia: 21.08 mm)

Obv: Persian legend "Yaft dar Agra ruye zar zewar" with 1032 Hijri, Rev: Persian legend "az Jahangir Shah, Shah Akbar".

Zodiac Poetry Without the Zodiac Sign - Yaft Couplet

The “Yaft” couplet, found on Jahangir’s celebrated Agra-mint zodiac rupees, also appears on this issue. Although the present rupee bears no zodiac figure, it shares the same poetic inscription, creating a direct literary connection with that remarkable series. This Agra-mint silver rupee, dated AH 1033 / RY 19, features a distinctive arrangement of the celebrated “Yaft” couplet. On the present variety, the regnal numeral 19 appears above the word “Shah” in “Akbar Shah”, distinguishing its layout from that seen on certain other issues, including examples of RY 17.

The Persian couplet reads:

يانت دراره روى زر نزيور

ارجياكير شاه شاه اكبر

“Yaft dar Agra ruye zar zewar / Az Jahangir Shah Akbar Shah”

Meaning: “At Agra, the face of gold received adornment from Jahangir Shah, son of Akbar Shah.” Although the verse refers to gold, it also appears on silver rupees. The same couplet is found on Agra’s celebrated zodiac coinage, connecting this calligraphic issue with one of Jahangir’s most remarkable artistic series.

Boldly struck in high relief and retaining attractive mint lustre, the present specimen displays the calligraphy with impressive clarity. Its distinctive placement of the regnal year adds further interest to a particularly appealing example of Jahangir’s poetic coinage. Our survey of available archives and numismatic references has traced only a handful of recorded specimens of this type, indicating its considerable rarity. Graded by PCGS as MS 62, Exceedingly Rare.