Coin

Art Historical Context

This copper coin, struck during the early Abbasid Caliphate (A.H. 141–150 / 758–768 CE), offers a tangible glimpse into the bustling economy of the Islamic world just after the dynasty's rise to power in 750 CE. Minted under Caliph al-Mansur, who founded Baghdad as the new capital in 762 CE, it exemplifies the standardized coinage that facilitated trade across a vast empire stretching from Spain to Central Asia. As a *fals*—a low-denomination copper piece—the coin was essential for everyday transactions, reflecting the Abbasids' emphasis on administrative reform and economic stability followin...