The oldest coins in the world are the Lydian Lion coins , created over 2,700 years ago in the ancient kingdom of Lydia (present-day western Turkey).
These coins were made of electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. The Lydian Lions featured a roaring lion’s head, the emblem of the Lydian kings, on one side. Early Lydian coins also had a simple incuse depression on the reverse, created during the hammering process.
The invention of coinage by the Lydians is believed to have been driven by their position as a trading center with access to abundant electrum resources from the River Pactolus flowing near their capital, Sardis. Before coins, payments were typically made with metal bullion or through bartering, where value was determined by weighing and assessing purity. The Lydians’ innovation of minting coins with consistent weight and purity helped to streamline transactions.
While the Lydian Lions are widely considered the world’s oldest coins, other regions also developed their own forms of coinage around the same period, including China and Greece.
Note: The first ruler to issue standardized coins of pure gold and silver, known as Croeseids, was King Croesus of Lydia (ruled 561-547 BC), [according to Austin Rare Coins] . These coins featured the iconic lion and bull design.
What was the first coin made?
However, Lydian staters are widely considered to be the world’s oldest coins. They are made from electrum, a mixture of gold and silver. These early coins were minted around 600 BCE in the kingdom of Lydia in the modern-day country of Turkey.
What coin is worth $1,000,000?
1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny. Now we’re getting into some serious money. The 1943 Bronze Lincoln penny has gone for hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it could go for as much as $1 million in perfect shape, according to Urban Aunty — as long as it’s missing a mint mark (and thus from Philadelphia).
When was the first 1 coin made?
Great question! The original, round £1 coin was introduced in 1983. It replaced the Bank of England £1 note, which ceased to be issued at the end of 1984 and was removed from circulation on 11 March 1988, though still redeemable at the bank’s offices, like all English banknotes.