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

Curator: This is a silver dirham coin, minted in Madina-t al-Salam, or Baghdad, during the reign of al-Mahdi. What strikes you initially about it? Editor: The circular shape and the raised inscriptions give it an almost tactile energy, like a little world held in your palm. It has a quiet, weighty presence. Curator: These coins weren't just currency, they were declarations of power. Notice the inscriptions; they're not decorative but carefully chosen texts, asserting authority and religious legitimacy. Editor: It makes you wonder about all the hands it passed through. The stories it could tell about trade routes, political intrigues, the daily lives of people back then… Curator: Exactly! Each coin is a tiny artifact, reflecting the vast cultural and political landscape of its time. Editor: There is something lovely about the way a mundane object holds so much history. Curator: Indeed. It is a reminder that even something as small as a coin can carry significant historical weight.