Coin Weight
Unknown Artist
8th century
Medium
Glass; stamped
Dimensions
H. 3/16 in. (0.5 cm) Diam. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm) Wt. 0.18 oz. (5.1 g)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Joseph W. Drexel, 1889
Accession Number
89.2.242
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass coin weight from the 8th century exemplifies the precision craftsmanship of early Islamic artisans. Measuring just 1¼ inches in diameter and weighing a mere 0.18 ounces, it was designed to verify the exact weight of gold dinars or silver dirhams in bustling trade hubs across the Abbasid Caliphate. Stamped with official markings—likely including inscriptions of rulers or mints—these small objects ensured fair commerce, reflecting Islam's emphasis on honest weights and measures as a moral and economic imperative. Crafted from glass, a favored medium for its affordability and...