RIYADH: The Museums Commission on Wednesday opened the “Minted Narratives: Saudi Arabia’s Legacy in Coins” exhibition at the National Museum in Riyadh, drawing a distinguished audience of cultural, historical, and economic figures.
Running until Dec. 16, the exhibition presents a rich journey spanning more than 1,300 years of history, art, and economic transformation traced through the evolution of coins from the pre-Islamic era to the modern Saudi riyal.
Adviser to the Ministry of Culture at the Museums Commission Mona Khazindar described the exhibition as a visual and chronological documentation of the Kingdom’s and the Islamic world’s story through the lens of coinage and minting.
She said that coins carry more than monetary value; they reflect historical, religious, cultural, and social narratives, bearing witness to the rise of civilizations, the unity of nations, and the Saudi state’s own journey of establishment, unification, and development.
Khazindar said the exhibition offers the public a rare opportunity to read history through coins — a cultural artifact as significant as manuscripts or antiquities.
Image: SPA
The exhibition features an exceptional collection of rare coins from the personal collection of Dr. Alain Baron, one of the most prominent collectors of historical coins, alongside unique selections from the ministry of culture’s holdings.
It also includes contemporary artworks by Swiss artist Zimoun, inspired by the symbolism and visual language of money.
Spanning seven main themes, the exhibition begins with “Pre-Islamic Coins,” highlighting symbols and meanings related to trade and authority, followed by “The Birth of Islamic Coins and Coins in the Islamic Dynasties,” illustrating the unity and diversity of Islamic civilization over the centuries.
The section “Women in Coins” illustrates the presence of women in numismatic memory, while “Artisanal Coins — Minting Art and Culture” explores the intersection of aesthetic value and the economic function of currency.
Visitors can also explore “Treasures and Coins of Saudi Arabia,” which tells the story of unification and the building of the modern state, and “Coins and Contemporary Art,” where currency is a source of creative inspiration.
Image: SPA
The exhibition concludes with “The Coin That Was Never Minted,” which highlights the reflection on symbolism and concept before coins exist in physical form.
The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive cultural program featuring seminars, workshops, expert-led discussions, and interactive activities for children and families.
Dedicated programs for people with disabilities are also provided, in partnership with the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities and the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, ensuring a fully inclusive and engaging environment.
This exhibition is part of the Museums Commission’s broader mission to preserve and present national heritage through a contemporary lens, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global cultural stage.
It also aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to build a knowledge-based society rooted in its heritage while embracing cultural and human dialogue on an international level.
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