Coin
Minted in the year A.H. 333 at al-Muhammadiya, just after the Samanids had conquered the city, this gold coin names the prophet Muhammad as well as the reigning Samanid ruler, Nuḥ bin Nasr, in the central inscription on its obverse. Surrounding this text are two circular margins: the inner circle bears an inscription which lists the year and location of the coin’s minting, while the outer has verses 4-5:30 of the Qur’an. The text on the coin’s reverse is sura 112 of the Qur’an, a verse more often found on Umayyid coins. The first word of sura 112 is omitted – also customary to Umayyid coins. Encircling the text are two margins, each bearing a Qur’anic verse (33:9 and 9:61).
Artwork Details
- Title: Coin
- Date: dated 333 AH/945 CE
- Geography: Excavated in Iran, Nishapur. Mint Iran, al-Muhammadiyya
- Medium: Gold
- Dimensions: Diam. 3/4 in. (1.9 cm)
Wt. 0.1 oz. (2.8 g) - Classification: Coins
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1939
- Object Number: 39.40.127.557
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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