Coin

Art Historical Context

This mid-8th century copper, hailing from the Islamic world, offers a tangible glimpse into the bustling trade and governance of the early Abbasid Caliphate Struck around 750 CE—the very dawn of the Abbasid era—this unassuming artifact served as everyday currency, facilitating commerce across vast empires stretching from Spain to Central Asia. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939, it now resides in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Islamic Art Department where it exemplifies the numismatic artistry of a transformative period. Crafted from durable copper, the coin reflects practical metallurgy...