Dinar of Yazid II 719 - 720

Editor: Here we have the Dinar of Yazid II, a small golden coin housed at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by how such a tiny object could carry so much weight, both literally and symbolically. What kind of imagery do you find embedded in this piece? Curator: This dinar is fascinating because it replaces figural representation with text. The calligraphy becomes the primary image. Consider how this choice reflects a shift in cultural memory, moving away from iconic representations of power to symbolic authority through the written word. What emotional or psychological impact might this have had on its users? Editor: That's a compelling point; I hadn't considered how the script itself functions as an icon. Thanks for showing me this important piece. Curator: Indeed, understanding how symbols evolve helps us decode the cultural landscape of the past, and how we still use and see them today.