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The Museum of Islamic Art Coin Project

2022/09/20

As part of the re-opening of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) following extensive renovations, Qatar Museums and Years of Culture are delighted to launch the Coin Project - an innovative way to experience one of the largest and most impressive coin collections in the world.

A digital recreation of a pile of coins on a white background, as part of the Museum of Islamic Art virtual coin project.

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The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) houses one of the most comprehensive collections of Islamic art in the world, with masterpieces from three continents spanning 1,400 years of history, including metalwork, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, textiles, coins and glass.

First opened in 2008, MIA has always set out to introduce visitors to Islamic art, history and culture in an innovative way that relies on technology, interaction and exploration of Islamic heritage using different senses. Designed by renowned Chinese American architect, I.M. Pei, the museum attracts thousands of visitors annually.

Closed in spring 2021 for a facilities enhancement and reinstallation project, MIA will re-open in October 2022 with a new visitor-focused layout, that is more sustainable, efficient and eco-friendly than ever.

As part of this re-invention, MIA will open up their extensive coin collection far beyond Doha, giving “virtual” visitors full access to these very special pieces for the first time ever.

While an important challenge for any museum is how to curate and display the works within their collection, MIA’s Coin Project is set to defy space, time and geography to make the coin collection accessible to the public all around the world.

This ambitious project was delivered by COLLECTO, an expert creator of digital art experiences based in Germany. The company developed a state of the art production process for Qatar Museums. It combines highest image quality, unparalleled production speed and fully integrated data management.

Usually stored in boxes within the museum archives, each coin has its own fascinating history. The specially created digital interface is fully interactive, showing different layers of visualisation, organising the coins by weight, material, age and more.

The extraordinary scope of the project even enables users to flip the coins front and back, so that no detail is overlooked. Diverse audiences including schools and students, researchers and collectors (or simply the digital curious!) can explore and learn about the origin of each coin.

Visitors can now explore this treasure trove of history without ever leaving home. Experience The Coin Project, wherever you are.