Dinar of Ziyadatullah I 827 - 828

Editor: We're looking at a gold Dinar of Ziyadatullah I, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. It's small but intricate. What significance do you see in this coin beyond its material value? Curator: Well, as an object circulating within society, this coin represents more than just monetary value. It signifies Ziyadatullah's power, its imagery and inscriptions projecting authority and shaping public perception of his rule. How did such objects contribute to the formation of political and religious identity in North Africa? Editor: So, the coin's not just currency, but a form of propaganda? Curator: Precisely. Its very existence and circulation reinforced the ruler's legitimacy. Considering its presence in Harvard Art Museums today, how does its display continue to shape its narrative and our understanding of history? Editor: That’s fascinating – a small coin with such a large story to tell.