Dirham of Marwan II, Wasit 747 - 748

Editor: Here we have a silver Dirham minted during the reign of Marwan II in Wasit. It feels incredibly weighty, a small object imbued with immense historical presence. What strikes you about this coin? Curator: This dirham embodies the complex intersection of power, faith, and economic control in the late Umayyad Caliphate. The inscriptions, more than mere decoration, are declarations of authority and religious legitimacy during a turbulent period. How might we read the symbolism on this coin in relation to Marwan II's struggle to maintain power? Editor: So, it’s not just currency, but propaganda? Curator: Precisely. Each inscription choice reflects the Caliphate's efforts to solidify its ideological base. Examining these choices allows us insight into the political discourse of the time. Editor: I never thought of a coin carrying so much weight – not just monetary, but cultural and political. Curator: Indeed, it's a reminder that even the smallest objects can tell stories of empires, beliefs, and the human desire for power.