The earliest known coins were likely produced in the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, located in modern-day western Turkey, around 600 BCE . These coins were made from electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, according to the Willamette University Hallie Ford Museum of Art.
One of the most famous examples of these early coins is the Lydian Lion, [says the Monterey Company] . It features a roaring lion’s head, the emblem of the Lydian Kings, on one side and a simple punch mark on the reverse. These coins are considered significant because they represent the first time a state officially guaranteed the value and authenticity of metal currency.
While other regions like China also developed coinage independently around the same period, Lydia is widely credited with introducing the concept of standardized, government-issued coins that paved the way for modern monetary systems. The development of coinage had a profound impact on trade, commerce, and the economy of the ancient world.
What is the most famous ancient coin?
The Most Important Ancient Coin: The Brutus “Eid Mar” Denarius, 42 BC. …
The Athens Decadrachm, 460-430 BC. …
The Decadrachms Of Syracuse, 400-390 BC. …
The Akragas Decadrachm, 411 BC. …
The Naxos Tetradrachm, 460 BC. …
The Gold Stater Of Croesus, 550 BC.