Akbar’s Ode to Ram & Sita

It is not just about money. Through history, coins were often used as political statements. Take for example one of the most unique ( and very expensive) set of coins, the ‘Ram-Siya’ coins issued by Mughal Emperor Akbar, in 1604-5 CE. A monarch well ahead of his times, the coins iterated Akbar’s tolerant and liberal views and ensured everyone got a chance to appreciate it!

Interestingly, it was Akbar’s long reign of almost 50 years (1556 – 1605 CE) that allowed him to experiment with coinage. According to records, Akbar took personal interest in the designing and minting of his coins and in many senses they reflected his own personality.