Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – NGSA

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque presents one of the most important Islamic coin collections in the world today – In collaboration with Dr Alain Baron, founder of Numismatica Genevensis

Abu Dhabi, February 20^th 2020 – Under the high patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, President of the General Women’s Union, GWU, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), the exhibition Coins of Islam: History Revealed will run until April 28^th 2020. Presented at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, this display of ancient coins traces the history of religions and cultures, reminding us that they co-existed in the past. It thus promotes a message of universal tolerance as well as a rapprochement of cultures. The exhibition also highlights women’s prominent role in history.

Co-organised by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) in Abu Dhabi and Dr. Alain Baron, founder of Numismatica Genevensis (NGSA), the Coins of Islam: History Revealed exhibition was inaugurated on January 28^th by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs at the Sheikh Zayed Great Mosque Center (SZGMC) itself.

A highly symbolic place, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque reflects a message of cultural co-existence and also honours the cultural heritage of the country’s founding father.

Exhibition curator, Dr. Alain Baron comments: “Highly emblematic and unique, Coins of Islam: History Revealed is the first ever public showing for one of the largest collections of Islamic coins ever assembled. The exhibition comprises six different sections, starting from the pre-Islamic period, taking visitors on a journey through space and time, highlighting the individual achievements of civilizations while underlining their commonalities. Serving as a truly intercultural bridge, this initiative invites every people to recognise itself and to open up to tolerance.”

Visitors to the exhibition are also invited to discover an entire section dedicated to the role of women in history, echoing the work of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak and her support for the empowerment of women in the UAE, as well as their social and professional development.

Dr. Alain Baron adds: “Women have always played an important role in world history, whether Greek, Roman, Islamic or other cultures. Great women have distinguished themselves through their wisdom and governance and the Coins of Islam: History Revealed exhibition pays tribute to them through multiple portraits and mentions, a testimony left to us by coins for more than 2,000 years.”

The exhibition will be held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for three months, ending on April 28^th 2020.

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NGSA regularly builds up collections of ancient coins of worldwide importance, publishes reference works on the subject, and has been the privileged contact for governments for more than 30 years. Outside the context of auctions, NGSA serves as a didactic and cultural mediator, introducing the public to the role of numismatics in history through exhibitions presented in the world’s most renowned cultural venues.

Also of note in this regard is the extraordinary exhibition of Roman medallions currently shown at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

Imperial Gifts – Roman Medallions from the Sunshine Collection, Getty Villa – Los Angeles.

Title of the exhibition: Coins of Islam: History Revealed

Dates: From January 28^th to April 28^th 2020

Location: Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi (SZGMC)

Collection: More than 300 ancient coins

Attachments: Emblematic pieces from the exhibition with descriptions and high resolution images

ABOUT NUMISMATICA GENEVENSIS SA

Numismatica Genevensis SA was founded in 1988 by Alain Baron, Doctor in Numismatics and Monetary History from the Universities of Vienna and Rome. NGSA puts together exceptional collections of coins for governments, museums and major collectors. It has orchestrated a number of numismatic exhibitions and publications around the world.