Qatar Museums Authority receives donation of antique coin collection

The collection of pre-Islamic and Islamic coins was given to Qatar Museums Authority CEO Abdulla Al Najjar by collector Omar Hamad Al Mana, during a hand-over ceremony.

In recognition of the vision of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority's Board of Trustees, to transform the State of Qatar into a global capital of culture, Al Mana offered this gift to the people of Qatar.

Al Mana said, "I am pleased to make this donation to the Qatar Museums Authority as I wish for everyone to share in enjoying this special collection. On display in Qatar locals and people from around the world can view and appreciate how unique these coins are".

The 590 piece collection is mainly composed of silver coins; however, some are made from bronze and brass. These include coinage spanning from the pre-Islamic Sassanian dynasty, through to coins from the 16th century Safavid dynasty. Notable examples include very early Islamic coins from the Umayyad and Abbassid periods.

"We are delighted to announce this generous gift," said Al Najjar. "The donation strengthens the Qatar Museums Authority's existing coin collection with exceptional pieces dated back to pre-Islamic Sassanian dynasty. It is my hope that this donation will serve as an example to all Qataris who have personal collections and would like to make a gift to any of the museums in Qatar."

Al Najjar said the Qatar Museums Authority is active promoting and supporting Qatar's many cultural initiatives. He said, "The Authority plays a major role in maintaining all museums in the country, and our major focus at the moment is on the upcoming launch of the Museum of Islamic Art on 22 November 2008."

The Museum of Islamic Art is a pioneer project, setting apart the cultural vision of the State of Qatar, both in the region and across the world. The project sets the founding stone in the cultural blueprint to transform Qatar into a global capital of culture.

Collected from three continents including countries across the Middle East and as far reaching as Spain and India, the Museum's artworks date from the 7th through to the 19th century. Representing the full scope of Islamic art, the collection includes manuscripts, ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood and precious stones, and are of superior quality.

Qatar Museums Authority was created in December 2005 to combine the resources of all museums in the State of Qatar.

The Authority's vision revolves around the provision of a comprehensive umbrella under which future plans will be drawn for the development of national museums and the establishment of an effective system for collecting, protecting, preserving and interpreting historic sites, monuments and artefacts.