Fulus of Sulayman Shah, with Horseman right and Kufic legend c. 12th century

Curator: The artwork we are observing is titled "Fulus of Sulayman Shah, with Horseman right and Kufic legend" and the artist responsible for creating it is Rukn ad-Din Sulayman Shah. Editor: It looks like a small, heavily worn coin, doesn't it? Almost lost to time; the details are difficult to discern. Curator: These coins were an integral part of daily life. The figure of the horseman was a symbol of power, but also connectivity. They were circulated within communities as a means of exchange. Editor: I imagine the horseman image resonated, a familiar figure representative of authority and mobility, yet perhaps unattainable for many. What did it really mean for those who used the coin? Curator: That's a crucial point; coins like this can be understood as a form of propaganda, designed to perpetuate ideas about who held power and legitimacy. Editor: The materiality of the coin is interesting too. The corrosion speaks of the passage of time, its circulation through countless hands, perhaps telling stories of trade, conquest, and everyday survival. Curator: Indeed, it reflects how material culture shapes society's collective memory and reinforces narratives about belonging and marginalization. Editor: It's humbling to think about the weight such a small object could carry, and what those burdens were.