Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) An exciting week in Baghdad; the grand
opening of the much anticipated and meticulously curated Al-Sarraf
Islamic Coins Gallery. Nestled within the National Meusum of Iraq
it houses an extensive display of coins donated by Abdullah
Al-Sarraf. In attendance were many prominent figures, including
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani.
Abdullah Al-Sarraf (1910-2000), was the generous donor of this
massive collection. He was a prominent businessman whose generosity
and passion helped further the arts, literature and poetry, and
whose house in Najaf served as a refuge and station for
intellectuals and poets.
Over the course of ninety years, Al-Sarraf developed an
extraordinary passion for collecting and studying rare antique
coins, particularly focusing on ancient Islamic coins. Each coin
held a story, serving as tangible artifacts for historians and
archeologists, representing a glimpse into the past and a
connection to the people and cultures that had once flourished.
They reflect different periods, kingdoms, countries and rulers
throughout time, as well as, a rich tapestry of Islamic
civilization.
On March 18, 1968, Al-Sarraf gifted his treasured collection to
the National Museum of Iraq which consisted of pieces of gold,
silver and copper.
In a previous interview Al-Sarraf attributes his passion for
acquiring coins to his father. He shares, In the year 1935, I
traveled to Palestine and bought coins from the markets of
Jerusalem and coins from Damascus. I also bought from Europe and
returned them to the homeland. Thus, the amount of coins became
significant, but it was difficult for me to solve their
hierarchies, so I went to the Iraqi Museum in Baghdad and sought
the help of an expert.
In the matter of coins, my teacher, Mr. Nasir Al-Naqshbandi,
author of the book Islamic Dinar, became my mentor,
helping me explore Islamic money in different eras, which took 40
years, he adds.
Al-Sarraf stayed for a year and a half working in the hall that
the Ministry of Culture allocated for his coins. In appreciation
for his material and scientific efforts, a grand ceremony was held
in 1969.
In 2003, during the Iraq War, the museum was looted, and many
artifacts were either destroyed or stolen. Without a doubt, this
was one of the most devastating losses for the...
