Coin

Art Historical Context

This slender silver coin, struck in A.H. 375 (985 CE), offers a glimpse into the sophisticated monetary systems of the medieval Islamic world. As a dirham-like piece from the Islamic Art collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art—acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939—it exemplifies the era's mastery of metalworking. Crafted from high-quality silver, such coins circulated widely across trade routes, facilitating commerce from the Mediterranean to Central Asia. In the late 10th century, coinage played a vital role beyond economics, often featuring intricate Arabic inscriptions that proclai...