Dirham of al-Mahdi, Madina-t al-Salam (Baghdad) c. 8th century

Editor: This is a Dirham of al-Mahdi from Madina-t al-Salam, or Baghdad. It’s undated and made of silver. It looks so small, but I imagine it had great significance. What does this coin represent to you? Curator: This coin embodies power and identity in the Abbasid Caliphate. Consider its weight, its material, its circulation. Who controlled the silver mines? Whose image, whose words, were stamped upon it? A coin is never just currency; it’s a statement. Editor: So, beyond its monetary value, it's a form of propaganda? Curator: Precisely. It broadcasts the Caliph’s authority, his religious legitimacy, and the economic strength of his empire. Think about who benefited and who was excluded from that power. Editor: I never considered a coin as a political statement before. Thanks for opening my eyes to this history. Curator: My pleasure. Every artifact whispers stories of power, resistance, and the complexities of the past.