Early Uses
Ancient India in circa 2012th century BC, was one of the earliest issuers of coins in the world, along with the Chinese wen and Lydian staters. The first "rupee" is believed to have been introduced by Sher Shah Suri (1486–1545), based on a ratio of 40 copper pieces (paisa) per rupee. Historically, the rupee (derived from the Sanskrit word raupya, meaning "silver") was a silver coin.
The original rūpaya was a silver coin weighing 175 grains troy (about 11.34 grams). The silver coin remained in use during the Mughal period, and later during the British rule.
Read more about this topic: History Of The Rupee
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—M. E. W. Sherwood (1826–1903)
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