Earliest dated coin?

dan1ecu

I’m just curious - does anybody know when coins started having the date on them? I’m not too familiar with history, but if I understand correctly, even as recent as the middle ages the average person really wasn’t concerned with what year it was. I wonder when dates became important enough to put on coins?

Dan

its4real

excellent question! I can't wait to read the answer....

Russ

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the earliest AD dating of a coin was MCCXXXIIII (1234), Bishop of Roskilde coins, Denmark (six known).

Earliest dated coin in the world: Samian silver tetradrachm struck in Zankle (now Messina), Sicily, dated year 1, viz 494 BC, shown as "A."

Russ, NCNE

wingedliberty

Technically Russ, The Guiness Book is incorrect. It would have to be a Brutus Ides of March denarius.
Obv: Caesar Dict Perpetvo(portrait of Julius Caesar)
Rev: P Macer. Ide Mar

Ides of March 44B.C : This is when Caesar was assasinated.
There is a similar type with a Brutus obv. and Dagger and cap reverse.

This is technically a date. I hate to be a purist. (I really love to).


Brian.

Russ

Damn those Guinness people! Well, at least they make a good beer.

Russ, NCNE

dan1ecu

Aditional thoughts -- Roman coins have pictures of the reigning emperor. I guess this would also be a form of “dating.” There may have been many different calenders used before the Julian calendar became the standard. If any ancient coins were dated, it might be difficult to determine what year they were minted (in our years, that is). Also, some dates on coins do not represent the year in which it was minted (like some colonials).

Dan

leothelyon

Here is a picture of one.

Leo

Russ

Whoah! That thing sold for $110,000! I'm off to eBay! There are sellers all over selling ancient coins for peanuts!

Russ, NCNE

wingedliberty

Seems cheap compared to your 53-s lol.
If I had the money I would buy both.
Remeber. Brutus was the good guy who wanted a republic instead of a dictator.