Coin
Unknown Artist
ca. 1130
Medium
Silver
Classification
Coins
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number
39.40.127.616
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silver coin, minted around 1130, hails from the vibrant world of medieval Islamic art and serves as a tangible window into the economic and cultural life of the time. Produced during a period when Islamic empires like the Seljuks and Fatimids flourished across the Middle East and North Africa, such coins—known as dirhams—were essential for trade along the Silk Road and beyond, circulating from bustling bazaars in Baghdad to distant markets in Spain. Crafted through die-striking techniques, the coin's silver medium allowed for fine detailing, typically featuring elegant Arabic c...