The Vijayanagara monarchs had a separate department in charge of minting of coins. The main mint was located in Hampi while smaller mints were established at Penukonda, Tirupati and many other places.The Vijayanagara coins are of gold, silver and copper, All the coins are circular in shape and some have been modelled on those of earlier dynasties such as the Hoysalas and the Pandyas. The most beautiful Vijayanagara coins are those featuring the images of various Hindu gods and goddesses and also the symbols, animals and birds associated with these deities. The earliest Vijayanagara coins feature Hanuman and Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu. These kings also issued gold coins featuring divine couples - Siva and Parvati, Narayana and Lakshmi, Brahma and Sarasvati and Rama and Sita.
Krishnadeva Raya issued many coins featuring Bala Krishna (baby Krishna). Lord Venkateshwara, the presiding deity of the temple at Tirumala (Tirupati) also figures on Vijayanagara coins.
