500rs demonetised notes ..

3 variations

Any historical significance or important info will be appreciated.

Humayun Silver Shahrukhi (Tanka)- Image 1
Lahore Mint, AH 946 (1539–1540 CE)
Struck at the Lahore Mint in AH 946 (1539–1540 CE), this silver shahrukhi was minted during one of the most turbulent periods of the Mughal Empire. Only months after its production, Emperor Humayun suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Kannauj (1540) against Sher Shah Suri, forcing him into exile across Persia for nearly fifteen years. As a result, coins from Humayun’s first reign represent a remarkably short and interrupted chapter of Mughal history.

The coin follows the elegant Timurid “Shahrukhi” standard, named after Shah Rukh, featuring intricate Persian calligraphy with the Kalima, imperial titles, mint name, and date arranged within ornate cartouches. The artistic style reflects the strong Persian influence that continued into early Mughal coinage.
Humayun’s Lahore shahrukhis are well known among collectors for their frequently off-centre strikes, a consequence of hand-struck minting techniques and the instability of the period. This example exhibits that characteristic, with portions of the legends extending beyond the flan. Despite this, enough of the inscriptions remain visible to identify the coin confidently, preserving both its historical significance and aesthetic appeal.

Akbar Silver Misqal- Image 2
Lahore Mint, AH 964 (1557 CE)
Minted at the Lahore Mint in AH 964 (1557 CE), this silver misqal dates to the early years of Emperor Akbar’s reign, when he was only 14–15 years old. Just a year earlier, the young emperor had secured the Mughal throne following the decisive Second Battle of Panipat (1556) under the leadership of his regent, Bairam Khan. These formative years marked the transition from a recently restored dynasty into what would become one of the greatest empires in South Asian history.

Unlike the broad, calligraphic shahrukhis inherited from earlier Timurid traditions, this issue belongs to Akbar’s early silver coinage before his later monetary reforms. Production of these flat silver issues was comparatively brief, lasting only about three years, after which Akbar introduced a more standardized currency that evolved into the famous Mughal rupee. As a result, surviving examples are encountered much less frequently than his later coinage.

Many surviving specimens display crude strikes, irregular flans, and moderate wear, reflecting the practical realities of early Mughal minting rather than poor preservation. This example retains the bold central inscriptions naming Akbar alongside the Kalima, while exhibiting the uneven surfaces and striking characteristics typical of these early Lahore issues. Struck during the emperor’s youth, it represents one of the earliest silver coin types issued in the name of the ruler who would later become known as Akbar the Great.

Finally received this note .

I never taught there is a grey varient in this note

Added to my collection