Dirham of 'Abd al-Malik I, al-Basra 699 - 700

Editor: Here we have a silver dirham, a coin, created in al-Basra by 'Abd al-Malik I. It’s amazing to think of holding a piece of history like this in your hand. What kind of stories do you think this object can tell us? Curator: Ah, this unassuming coin! It whispers tales of power, faith, and revolution. 'Abd al-Malik, a caliph who dared to inscribe declarations of Islamic belief onto currency, shifting away from Byzantine imagery. Can you imagine the impact of this single coin as it circulated? It’s more than money; it’s a statement! Editor: So, it’s a pretty strong political statement, despite being so small and made of silver? Curator: Absolutely! It's a quiet revolution, stamped onto a common object. It makes you wonder what everyday items today will tell our story centuries from now. Editor: It does make you think… Thanks!