Coin
Unknown Artist
dated A.H. 374/ 894 CE
Medium
Silver
Classification
Coins
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number
39.40.127.48
Art Historical Context
This silver coin, struck in A.H. 374 (894 CE), offers a tangible glimpse into the vibrant world of medieval Islamic civilization. Minted during the Abbasid Caliphate—a golden age of scholarship, trade, and empire-building—this dirham-like piece reflects the economic backbone of a realm stretching from Spain to Central Asia. As a product of the Islamic Art tradition, it exemplifies how coins served not just as currency but as portable emblems of authority, circulating along the Silk Road and beyond. Crafted from high-quality silver, the coin's medium was chosen for its durability and prestige,...