Dinar of al-Zahir, Misr c. 11th century

Curator: This is a Dinar of al-Zahir, coming to us from Misr, or Old Cairo. Editor: It's beautiful! The warm gold and intricate inscription give it such a rich, tactile quality. Curator: Indeed. These coins were both instruments of trade and powerful statements of political and religious authority. The inscriptions, of course, are key. Editor: What can you tell us about them? I'm thinking about how these inscriptions might have been read by different communities. Curator: Well, the inscriptions contain declarations of faith and the ruler’s name, asserting his legitimacy. Gold, too, served as a visual marker of status and control. Editor: Exactly. And who controlled the flow of money controlled a lot more than just the market. This piece invites us to think about how rulers consolidate their power. Curator: And that is precisely why the study of coins gives us such valuable insight into history! Editor: Absolutely. It highlights how intertwined economics, power, and religious identity really are.