Coin

Art Historical Context

This copper coin, minted between A.H. 716–736 (1316–1335 CE), offers a tangible glimpse into the bustling trade and daily life of the medieval Islamic world. Produced during a dynamic era of expanding empires—from the Ilkhanid domains in Persia to Mamluk realms in Egypt and Syria— coins served as essential fractional currency, facilitating commerce in markets from Baghdad to Cairo. Its presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art, acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939, underscores the museum's commitment to preserving these small yet eloquent artifacts of history. Crafted from ...