Fulus of Sulayman Shah, with Horseman right and Kufic legend c. 12th century

Editor: This is a Fulus of Sulayman Shah, showing a horseman and Kufic legend. It's small, and the material seems worn, but you can still see the details. What strikes you about this coin? Curator: It's fascinating to consider this coin not just as currency, but as a product of labor. Who mined the metal, who cast it, and how did its circulation impact the society it moved through? What does the imagery tell us about their values and power structures? Editor: That's a great point! Thinking about the labor that went into something we often take for granted. Curator: Exactly. The coin's materiality and design reflect the social and economic conditions of its time. Editor: I hadn't considered it that way before. Thanks for sharing your insights! Curator: My pleasure. It's all about understanding art as a product of its material and historical context.