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Dirham of Nasir al-Din Mahmud (r. 1201-22): Double-Headed Bird of Prey

Dirham of Nasir al-Din Mahmud (r. 1201-22): Double-Headed Bird of Prey. Dimensions: Diam. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm) D. 1/16 in. (0.2 cm) Wt. 0.4 oz. (11.3 g). Date: dated A.H. 615/ A.D. 1218-19. The period from the mid-twelfth to the mid-thirteenth century witnessed a growing regional economy in the Jazira which led to a profusion of unusually large and heavy copper coins depicting a myriad of figural imagery. Their large size (approx. 2.4-3 cm), the existence of figural imagery, and certain themes recall Byzantine copper coins which were used as petty coinage and which this new coinage complemented. The iconography of many of these coins relates to ancient Roman (cat. 14e), Greek, and Byzantine (cat. 14f) coins. Certain rare examples even copy coins from different periods (cat. 14f), while others have unusual iconography (cat. 14i or cat. 14k), the visual sources and artistic models of which remain difficult to identify. The nearly exact rendering of certain images suggests that mint makers had their models at hand. Ancient gold and silver currency was probably uncovered when rebuilding or erecting monuments, as many of the towns and cities occupied by the Artuqids and Zangids were important centers in antiquity.
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Title:
Dirham of Nasir al-Din Mahmud (r. 1201-22): Double-Headed Bird of Prey
Caption:
Dirham of Nasir al-Din Mahmud (r. 1201-22): Double-Headed Bird of Prey. Dimensions: Diam. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm) D. 1/16 in. (0.2 cm) Wt. 0.4 oz. (11.3 g). Date: dated A.H. 615/ A.D. 1218-19. The period from the mid-twelfth to the mid-thirteenth century witnessed a growing regional economy in the Jazira which led to a profusion of unusually large and heavy copper coins depicting a myriad of figural imagery. Their large size (approx. 2.4-3 cm), the existence of figural imagery, and certain themes recall Byzantine copper coins which were used as petty coinage and which this new coinage complemented. The iconography of many of these coins relates to ancient Roman (cat. 14e), Greek, and Byzantine (cat. 14f) coins. Certain rare examples even copy coins from different periods (cat. 14f), while others have unusual iconography (cat. 14i or cat. 14k), the visual sources and artistic models of which remain difficult to identify. The nearly exact rendering of certain images suggests that mint makers had their models at hand. Ancient gold and silver currency was probably uncovered when rebuilding or erecting monuments, as many of the towns and cities occupied by the Artuqids and Zangids were important centers in antiquity.
Technique/material:
copper
Museum:
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Credit:
Album / Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
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Image size:
4067 x 4031 px | 46.9 MB
Print size:
34.4 x 34.1 cm | 13.6 x 13.4 in (300 dpi)
Keywords: