Year Created: c.600 BCE Country of Origin: Lydia, Western Asia Metal Used: Electrum
The Lydian lion was the first coin in the world and the origin of coinage. The coin was minted by the kingdom of Lydia, which was located in modern-day Turkey and was known for its rich deposits of electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver. The coin had a weight of about 4.7 grams and a value of one-third of a stater, which was the basic unit of currency in Lydia. The coin had a design of a lion’s head, which was the symbol of the Lydian kings, on one side, and a punch mark on the other. The coin was a revolutionary invention that enabled the standardization, storage, and exchange of value and influenced the development of trade, economy, and civilization in the ancient world.
Image: DJR Authentication
