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Abbasid Coin

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Bookmark: http://triarte.brynmawr.edu/objects-1/info/158995





Abbasid Coin

8th century (?)
Bronze

3/4 in. (diameter) x 1/16 in. (1.9 cm x 0.08 cm)

Bryn Mawr College
Accession Number: C.1177
Acquisition Date:
Geography: Europe, Spain
Classification: Exchange Media; Coins
Culture/Nationality: Islamic
Collection: Lien Collection

Keywords Click a term to view the records with the same keyword
This object has the following keywords:
  • Abbasid - Refers to the art and culture associated with the Islamic dynasty of this name that was founded in 750, when it overthrew the Umayyad caliphate. The Abbasids were a Meccan family descended from Abbas, Muhammad's uncle. Their headquarters were in Mesopotamia and they founded the city of Baghdad in 762. Persian ideas prevailed during this period and the Abbasids ruled in great splendor as Oriental monarchs. Encouraging intense intellectual and artistic activity, many palaces and mosques were built and the production of luxury items became an industry. A unified style of art developed, inspired by ancient Persia rather than Christian Syria. The ruined city of Samarra, occupied by the Abbasids in the 9th century, is a prime example of this influence, especially in the Sassanian construction methods. Samarra is noted for its ornamental stucco, particularly the so-called 'bevelled' manner of decoration derived from Scythian-Siberian abstract design. Highly valued Chinese porcelain was imitated by potters of the period; the results were distinctly Islamic, however, with Arabic inscriptions and designs. Abbasid textiles also assumed an identifiable Islamic character. The vast empire became unwieldy and as its central administration weakened, rival caliphates were established. Although the Abbasids continued to rule part of the Islamic world until 1258, their dominance only lasted until the mid-10th century.
  • bronze - Refers to a broad range of alloys of copper, specifically any non-ferrous alloy of copper, tin, and zinc or other trace metals. Bronze was made before 3,000 BCE -- possibly as early as 10,000 BCE, although its common use in tools and decorative items is dated only in later artifacts. The proportions of copper and tin vary widely, from 70 to 95 percent copper in surviving ancient artifacts. Because of the copper base, bronze may be very malleable and easy to work. By the Middle Ages in Europe, it was recognized that using the metals in certain proportions could yield specific properties. Some modern bronzes contain no tin at all, substituting other metals such as aluminum, manganese, and even zinc. Historically, the term was used interchangeably with "latten." U.S. standard bronze is composed of 90% copper, 7% tin and 3% zinc. Ancient bronze alloys sometimes contained up to 14% tin.
  • coins - Pieces of metal stamped by government authority for use as money.
  • Coins, Abbasid - Sources:
    - Shamma, S. A catalogue of ʼAbbasid copper coins, 1998.

Additional Images Click an image to view a larger version
Additional Image C.1177_BMC_f_2.jpg
C.1177_BMC_f_2.jpg
Additional Image C.1177_BMC_r_2.jpg
C.1177_BMC_r_2.jpg

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=BMC>cite web |url=http://triarte.brynmawr.edu/objects-1/info/158995 |title=Abbasid Coin |author=Bryn Mawr College Library Special Collections |accessdate=3/29/2024 |publisher=Bryn Mawr College</ref>

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