Coin

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silver coin, dating to approximately the 9th century CE (A. 3??), hails from the early Islamic world and exemplifies the artistry of numismatic design in the Islamic Art collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. through the Rogers Fund in 193, it reflects a pivotal era when Islamic coinage evolved from imitations of Byzantine and Sasanian prototypes to distinctly aniconic forms adorned with elegant Arabic inscriptions—often invoking religious phrases, rulers' names, and mint locations. Such coins were not mere currency but powerful emblems of caliphal authority and faith. C...