Coin Weight
Unknown Artist
9th–10th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H. 1/8 in. (0.3 cm) Diam. 15/16 in. (2.4 cm) Wt. 0.1 oz. (2.8 g)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1908
Accession Number
08.256.34
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass coin weight, dating to the 9th–10th, hails from the Islamic world and exemplifies the precision of medieval trade practices. Measuring just under an inch in diameter and weighing a mere 0.1 ounces, it was designed to verify the exact weight of goldars or silver dirhams—essential for merchants navigating bustling markets from Baghdad to Cordoba. In an era before modern scales, such tools ensured fair commerce across the vast Abbasid Caliphate and beyond, reflecting Islam's emphasis on ethical trade and standardized measures rooted in Quranic principles. Crafted from glass, ...