Dinar of Marwan II 748 - 749

Curator: Here we have a Dinar of Marwan II, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The immediate impression is that of concentrated power, a small object made of dense, precious material. Curator: Absolutely. We must consider the historical context of its production: the Umayyad Caliphate under Marwan II, a period marked by political instability and rebellion. The coin served not only as currency but also as propaganda, asserting Marwan's authority through inscriptions and imagery. Editor: I agree, and the material speaks volumes. The choice of gold, the weight of 4.28 grams – these weren't arbitrary. They reflect the economic power and trade networks necessary to acquire and mint such coinage, legitimizing his rule. Curator: Indeed. The inscriptions, while seemingly religious, are ultimately about solidifying Marwan's claim to leadership within a complex socio-political landscape. Editor: It’s a fascinating study in miniature, revealing so much about the material conditions of power. Curator: Precisely, it provides insight into the intersection of economics, politics, and identity in the early Islamic world.