Coin
Unknown Artist
dated A.H. 377/ 987 CE
Medium
Silver
Classification
Coins
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number
39.40.127.74
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silver coin, minted in A.H. 377 (987 CE), offers a tangible glimpse into the vibrant Islamic world of the late 10th century. As a product of the Islamic Art tradition, it exemplifies the precision and artistry of medieval coinage, where silver dirhams like this one served as everyday currency, symbols of economic power, and vehicles for political messaging. Struck during a period when the Abbasid Caliphate faced challenges from regional dynasties like the Buyids, such coins typically bore intricate Arabic inscriptions detailing the ruler's name, the mint location, and the Hijri ...