Dinar of Yusuf bin Tashfin, Sijilmasah 11th-12th century

Curator: This is a gold Dinar, issued by Yusuf bin Tashfin in Sijilmasah, North Africa. Editor: The inscription has such incredible texture; it almost feels tactile despite being captured in a photograph. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the socio-economic implications—gold as a material, its extraction, and the labor involved. This coin signifies power, trade, and the flow of resources. Editor: And the artistry! The circular form, the placement of text within concentric circles, a beautiful abstract design. Curator: It speaks volumes about the networks of exchange and the control exerted over them. Editor: Both striking as an object and as a symbol. I see now how its very design communicates its intended use.