Dirham of Al-Walid I, Manadhir 713 - 714

Curator: Here we have a fascinating object: the Dirham of Al-Walid I, Manadhir, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is the weight of history, a tangible connection to a distant past. The coin's surface, though worn, speaks volumes. Curator: Absolutely. As a symbol, the Dirham would have been much more than currency. It represents the Umayyad Caliphate’s burgeoning power, with its inscriptions acting almost as a visual declaration of faith and authority. Editor: I see that calligraphy circling both sides... it carries such cultural weight, doesn't it? Each curve and line seems meticulously placed to convey not just words, but a sense of divine order. Curator: Precisely! And that's what makes it so compelling. It’s a tiny object, yet a powerful symbol—a testament to how images can carry an empire's ambitions and beliefs across time. Editor: Yes, a silent witness... I’m left thinking about all the hands this passed through.