Dirham of al-Mahdi, Madina-t al-Salam (Baghdad) c. 8th century

Editor: This is a Dirham of al-Mahdi from Madina-t al-Salam, now Baghdad. It’s just a small coin, but it feels weighty with history. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: This coin represents more than just currency; it’s a statement of power. Minting coins was a symbolic act, associating al-Mahdi's rule with economic stability and divine legitimacy. How do you think its circulation would have influenced perceptions of his Caliphate? Editor: So, it's propaganda in a pocket-sized format? Did the average person even understand the inscriptions? Curator: The inscriptions, even if not universally understood, projected an image of authority and Islamic governance. The very act of possessing it connected individuals to the ruling power. What does that tell us about the role of art in shaping political and social realities? Editor: It's fascinating to think about how something so small could have such a big impact on people's understanding of power. Curator: Indeed, these objects provide invaluable insights into the complex interplay between art, politics, and society in the early Islamic world.