Coin
Unknown Artist
probably 12th century
Medium
Silver plated copper
Classification
Coins
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1939
Accession Number
39.40.127.548
Art Historical Context
This exquisite silver-plated copper coin dating to the 12th century, offers a tangible glimpse into the vibrant world of Islamic art and commerce. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Art department and acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1939, it exemplifies the meticulous craftsmanship of medieval Islamic minting. The use of silver plating over a copper base was a clever technique, allowing for the luster and prestige of precious metal at a fraction of the cost—ideal for widespread circulation in bustling trade networks spanning the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. the ...