Dirham of Al-Walid I, Damascus 713 - 714

Editor: Here we have the Dirham of Al-Walid I from Damascus. Given its wear, I find it incredible that something so small and unassuming could have played a role in such vast economic and social exchanges. What stands out to you? Curator: It's fascinating to consider the material transformation involved. Silver, extracted and refined, then imprinted with symbols of power and faith. It represents a complex network of labor and resource management under Al-Walid I. Editor: So, you're saying its value isn't just monetary, but also in what it tells us about the Ummayyad Caliphate's operations? Curator: Precisely! The coin embodies the state's material control and ideological reach. Consider also how this object facilitated not just trade but the very spread of ideas. Editor: I hadn’t considered that. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! It encourages us to look beyond the surface.