Imitation of Dinar of al-Amir, Misr c. 12th century

Curator: This is an imitation of a dinar of al-Amir, Misr, weighing in at 3.74 grams and held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It appears quite small, but intricate. The golden hue is striking, and the circular design makes me think of power structures, of course, but also cyclical ideas around wealth and influence. Curator: Consider how imitations themselves participate in those power structures. The weight of a dinar held symbolic weight. But these imitations, although made by different people and places, also gain some of that historical weight. Editor: It speaks to global trade dynamics, too. This piece reflects the real or perceived value of the original, and its appeal, or the message it carried, to cultures and societies beyond its origin. Curator: Indeed. The symbols and script, even if imperfectly copied, reflect a desire to partake in a shared visual and economic language. It is an echo of the original's cultural footprint. Editor: Ultimately, looking at this imitation lets us think about how money has been and continues to be a social text, open to interpretation, adaptation, and sometimes, subversion. Curator: It is a fascinating way to consider the layered narratives within even the smallest artifact.