Coin

Art Historical Context

This exquisite silver coin, hailing from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department offers a tangible glimpse into the early years of Islamic history. Dated tentatively to A.H. 37 (approximately 657–658 CE, though the accompanying 98 CE query highlights scholarly debate), it exemplifies the nascent coinage traditions of the Islamic world. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 9, this artifact underscores the museum's commitment to preserving numismatic treasures that bridge art and history. Crafted in silver—a prized medium for dirhams, the standard Islamic currency—this coin reflects the era's transition from pre-Islamic influences, such as Sasanian and Byzantine designs, toward distinctly Arabic epigraphy and iconography. Early Islamic coins often featured inscriptions rather than figural images, adhering to aniconic principles while serving as vital tools for trade across vast caliphates. Its uncertain attribution to an unknown artist emphasizes the anonymous mastery of ancient mints. For visitors, this modest yet profound object reveals how coins doubled as historical chronicles, recording dates, rulers, and mint locations. Handling commerce from the Arabian Peninsula to Central Asia, it symbolizes the cultural and economic dynamism of early Islam, inviting us to ponder the everyday artistry that shaped empires.