Coin

Art Historical Context

This copper coin, minted in A.H. 153 (770 CE), offers a tangible glimpse into the early Abbasid Caliphate, a golden age of Islamic civilization that flourished from 750 to 1258 CE. Produced during the reign of Caliph al-Mansur, who founded Baghdad as the empire's glittering capital, such coins were essential for trade across a vast realm stretching from Spain to Central Asia. As everyday objects of exchange, they bridged merchants, scholars, and rulers, embodying the economic vitality of the Islamic world. Crafted in copper—a practical medium for smaller denominations—the coin exemplifies Isl...