Coin

Art Historical Context

This copper coin, minted between A.H. 366–387 (976–997 CE), transports us to the bustling Islamic world of the late 10th century—a time of dynamic caliphates, regional dynasties, and flourishing trade routes stretching from the Mediterranean to Central Asia. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art collection (acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939), it exemplifies the precision of medieval Islamic numismatics, where coins served not just as money but as official proclamations of authority. Crafted from durable copper, a common medium for smaller-denomination fulūs used in da...