Coin
Unknown Artist
probably A.H. 324–440/ 935–1048 CE
Medium
Silver
Classification
Coins
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number
39.40.127.522
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silver coin, minted around 935–1048 CE (A.H. 324–440), a tangible glimpse into the vibrant Islamic world of the medieval period. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939, it resides in the Metropolitan Museum of's Islamic Art department, exemplifying the precision of ancient numismatics. During this era, marked by the rise of dynasties like the Buyids in Persia and Iraq and the Fatimids in North Africa, silver coins served as the backbone of trade across vast empires, from the Mediterranean to Central Asia. Crafted in silver—a prized medium for its durability and portability—th...