Coin
Unknown Artist
dated A.H. 376/ 986 CE
Medium
Silver
Classification
Coins
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number
39.40.127.32
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silver coin, minted in.H. 376 (986 CE), offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of the late 10th century. During this era, the Abbasid Caliphate regional powers like the Buyids, who controlled much of the heartland, including Baghdad. Such dirhems—standard silver currency—facilitated trade across vast empires, from the Mediterranean to Central Asia, underscoring Islam's economic prowess and cultural unity. Crafted in silver, a prized medium for its durability and portability, the coin exemplifies the artistry of Islamic numismatics. Lacking figurative imagery in adherence to an...