Coin

Art Historical Context

This unassuming copper coin, dating to the 8th–9th century, offers a tangible glimpse into the vibrant world of early Islamic civilization. Minted during the Abbasidiphate—a period of remarkable expansion, scholarship, and cultural flourishing—these coins circulated widely across an empire stretching from Spain to Central Asia. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939, it now resides in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Islamic Art department, classified among numismatic treasures that bridge art and history. Crafted from copper, a practical medium for everyday transactions (as opposed to silver ...