Coin Weight
Unknown Artist
11th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H. 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) Diam. 7/8 in. (2.2 cm) Wt. 0.1 oz. (2.84 g)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Museum Accession
Accession Number
x.165.9
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass coin weight, dating to the 11th century, exemplifies the precision craftsmanship of the Islamic world. Measuring just 7/8 inch in diameter and weighing a mere 0.1 ounce, its small disc shape was designed for practical use in verifying the weight and authenticity of gold dinars or silver dirhams during bustling trade routes from Baghdad to Cordoba. In the medieval Islamic economy, standardized weights like this were essential for fair commerce, reflecting the era's advanced metrology under Abbasid and Fatimid influences. Crafted from glass—a favored medium for its transpare...