Currencies/Afghan rupee

Introduction

The Afghan rupee was the official currency of Afghanistan from 1891 until 1923, when it was replaced by the afghani. Before its introduction, various regional rupees circulated, including the Kabuli and Kandahari rupees, alongside copper fulus and gold mohurs. To unify the system, Abdur Rahman Khan introduced a standardized rupee in 1891, establishing it as the country’s principal monetary unit.

Denominations and Subdivisions

The Afghan rupee was divided into smaller units, as recorded in both historical references and stamp catalogues:

60 paisa = 12 shahi = 6 sanar = 3 abbasi = 2 qiran = 1 rupee

This system allowed for a wide range of fractional transactions, with each subdivision represented by its own coinage. Higher-value gold denominations included the tilla, amani, and habibi.

History

The rupee was introduced as part of Abdur Rahman Khan’s reforms in 1891, and it remained the backbone of Afghanistan’s economy for over three decades. Banknotes denominated in rupees first appeared in 1919, during the reign of Amanullah Khan, in values of 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 rupees.

Coinage

Afghan rupee coins were struck across a long period, with roots in the Durrani dynasty and continuing through the Barakizai era.

Rulers Issues are recorded from Ahmad Shah Durrani (1747–1772), his successors Taimur Shah, Zaman Shah, Mahmud Shah, Shuja Shah, Ayyub Shah, and later Barakizai rulers including Dost Muhammad Khan, Sher Ali Khan, Abdur Rahman Khan, and Habibullah Khan. Coins also appeared under Amanullah Khan (1919–1929), Habibullāh Kalakāni (1929), and Mohammed Nadir Shah (1929–1933).

Metals Struck in bronze, silver, and gold.

Denominations Known values included 1/12, 1/10, 1/8, 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1, 1¼, 2, 2½, and 5 rupees.

Shapes Coins varied widely, from circular and irregular to oval and even triangular-arched forms.

Mints Major production centers included Kabul, Qandahar (Ahmadshahi Mint), and Herat, with additional issues from Bahawalpur, Mashad, and Rikab (Persian Empire). Some later coins were struck at the Birmingham Mint in Great Britain, reflecting Afghanistan’s gradual modernization.

Replacement

In 1923, as part of modernization reforms under Amanullah Khan, the Afghan rupee was abolished and replaced by the afghani, a new decimal-based currency. With this change, the rupee and its numerous subdivisions ceased to circulate.

Legacy

The Afghan rupee represents a transitional stage in Afghanistan’s monetary history, bridging the older hand-struck coinage traditions with the country’s entry into a modern currency system. Today, Afghan rupee coins are valued by numismatists for their diversity of shapes, inscriptions, and the wide range of rulers and mints under which they were issued.