Coin of Nur al-Din Mahmud c. 12th century

Curator: Let's discuss this intriguing coin of Nur al-Din Mahmud. The object is held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is how worn it is, as if generations have passed it from hand to hand. Curator: Indeed. The coin offers a glimpse into the production of currency during Nur al-Din's reign, focusing on the physical labor and materials used. The worn details add to the intrinsic qualities of the object. Editor: I'm fascinated by the raw material. How would its value and circulation have affected the daily lives of people under his rule? Curator: A fair question! Meditating on its materiality and the impressions embedded within its surface can unlock new perspectives. Editor: Absolutely, a potent reminder of the intersection of power, economics, and artistic expression. Curator: Quite so. This coin encapsulates a slice of that history, forever pressed in metal.