Coin

Art Historical Context

This 8th-century copper coin, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department, offers a tangible glimpse into the early Islamic world. Minted during a transformative era—likely under the Umayyad or Abbasid caliphates—such coins circulated across vast empires stretching from Spain to Central Asia. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939, it exemplifies the numismatic artistry that supported burgeoning trade networks and administrative uniformity. Crafted from copper, a practical medium for everyday transactions (known as *fals* in Arabic), the coin reflects advanced minting ...