Oldest gold ancient coin?

northcoin

I was at a dealer the other day and he pulled out an Ionian gold coin from something like 700BC. Anyone know when the first gold coins were made? I know the Egyptians did a lot of neat things with gold, but I don't think making money was one of them. Would be interested in photos of your oldest gold ancient coin and/or a link to a website showing same.

AuldFartte

This Thread has some discussion and pics of what are probably the first coins ever "minted", if that will help.

northcoin

ttt

spoon

So going with the info in this thread it would seem this is among the oldest "pure" gold, recognizable coins: Croesus gold stater. A bit pricey.

northcoin

THANKS

northcoin

After doing a little homework, it appears the first gold coins made from dies were frøm appoximately 700 BC. They were the size of small beans and had only an obverse design. The reverse showed the punch marks of the "hammer" that was used to smash the metal into the die. I wonder if they might have used actual gold nuggets rather than melting gold and mixing it with alloys. It is unclear if the gold-silver "electrum" (sp?) coins from that era were made concurrently or if one preceeded the other.

northcoin

Actually, the reverse marks were more likely from a punch that was held over the coin and the hammer would have struck the punch. Anyone here actively collect such early coins that were "minted" this way having only a design on one side?

Weiss

Northcoin, I believe that my pieces were featured in some of the threads referenced in this thread. But since I'm a proud papa, here are my two from about this period:

The Lydian pre-Croesus electrum trite, 610-565 BC:


And the silver siglos from the reign of Croesus, 565-546 BC, following the Lydian's use of electrum when pure gold and pure silver became the standard:



They're both relatively small. In fact, I have the trite in a Capitol holder for the small $1 gold piece. But since they're both thick, they are heavy. The trite is 4.74 grams, the siglos is 5.28 grams.

I don't know if I'd call myself a collector of these early pieces, since two does not a collection make. But I would like to acquire more as I become more familiar with the history of them.

northcoin

Wow those carnivores look ferocious. Just imagine back in 500 - 600 BC man was likely still beholden to the beasts and it must have taken a lot of courage to confront them with only spears and hand thrown projectiles. I guess they were placing the true Kings that ruled their world on their coinage even back then.

lordmarcovan

Nice to see the other side (and a bigger pic) of that very admirable Weiss icon coin.