Dirham of al-Muqtadir, Madina-t al-Salam (Baghdad) 908 - 909

Curator: This fascinating object is a dirham, a silver coin, from the reign of al-Muqtadir, minted in Madina-t al-Salam, or Baghdad. Look closely; its surface is a testament to history! Editor: There's something hauntingly beautiful in its worn state. Like holding a whisper of power and trade from centuries past. I wonder who touched it last. Curator: The inscriptions, though worn, tell a story of faith and authority. We're essentially looking at portable propaganda—currency as a declaration of sovereignty and religious belief. Editor: Exactly! Each character etched into that silver carries weight, representing complex power dynamics, especially during a time of political and social upheaval. Curator: It’s a tiny thing, yet it embodies a vast empire. Makes you wonder about the everyday transactions, the mundane moments it facilitated. Editor: And how those mundane moments shaped the larger narrative. Even something as simple as a coin reflects broader intersectional themes of identity and governance. It is a reminder that our lives are embedded in history. Curator: Considering its journey through time, it's remarkable it survived at all. Editor: Indeed. It's a potent reminder that history isn't just about grand narratives, but about the tangible traces left behind.