Akbar (AH 963-1014 /1556-1605 AD), No Mint, Silver Square Rupee, year 37, Large flan, Amardad (Leo), (Wt: 11.40 grams, Dia:  17.02 x 16.03 mm), (KM # 82.2), centrally struck on bothsides, deep bold strikes, nice toning, very attractive, Gem UNC, Very Rare in this grade.

Obv: "Jalla Jalalahu Allahu Akbar" within a partial dotted border, Rev: Persian legend "Amardad (Leo) Elahi 37" 

Akbar’s Experiments with Time, The Ilahi Months on His Coinage

During the later part of his reign, Akbar introduced a new way of recording time on his coins. Instead of giving the date solely in the Hijri calendar, he adopted the Ilahi era, a solar system that counted its years from his accession to the throne. Coins could now record both an Ilahi year and the name of a month, giving a more precise indication of when they were struck.

This square silver rupee belongs to the anonymous Ilahi series. Its inscription uses the formula Allahu Akbar, Jalla Jalaluhu (“God is great; exalted is His glory”) rather than naming Akbar in the customary royal titles. The coin records its Ilahi month and year, but bears no mint name. “Anonymous” refers to the absence of the ruler’s name in the legend.

The square Ilahi rupees are listed in four forms:

1. Anonymous issues bearing the legend 'Allahu Akbar, Jalla Jalaluhu'
2. Similar issues with the Ilahi year added
3. Similar issues with the Ilahi year and month added
4. Similar issues with the Ilahi year, month and mint name added

The present coin belongs to the third form: it records the Ilahi year and month, without naming a mint. An exceptionally appealing specimen, its delicately decorated fields and graceful square design beautifully showcasing the artistry of Akbar’s Ilahi coinage. Underlying mint lustre brings the legends and ornamentation to life, giving this rupee an alluring beauty and presence. Zeno# 81260, Very Rare in this grade.