I'm not sure what this is, other than archaic, but it is 6th century BC at the oldest. If you want 7th century BC you'll need to hunt for some Lydian electrum.
From Lydia, circa 650 BC, there are striated electrum pieces of standardized weight. Although what constitutes the "first true coin" is arguable, most numismatists seem to consider the subsequent Lydian lion electrums the first "true" coins.
The Lydian lions were initially struck in the weight range considered a trite (1/3 of a stater). Various references the strike date ranges from ~630 to ~546 BC and there is a less common subtype which is noted to be the earliest (the "nose wart" is shaped like a cross), struck ~630-620 BC. The most common type of Lydian lion (rounded "nose wart" with more rays) is generally cited as being struck later, probably early to mid 6th century BC. These earliest Lydian lions were struck under kings Sadyattes and Alyattes.
Shortly after the Lydian lions emerged, other electrum coins were minted with a variety of iconography.
Edited to add: the "nose wart" is a sun.
From Lydia, circa 650 BC, there are striated electrum pieces of standardized weight. Although what constitutes the "first true coin" is arguable, most numismatists seem to consider the subsequent Lydian lion electrums the first "true" coins.
The Lydian lions were initially struck in the weight range considered a trite (1/3 of a stater). Various references the strike date ranges from ~630 to ~546 BC and there is a less common subtype which is noted to be the earliest (the "nose wart" is shaped like a cross), struck ~630-620 BC. The most common type of Lydian lion (rounded "nose wart" with more rays) is generally cited as being struck later, probably early to mid 6th century BC. These earliest Lydian lions were struck under kings Sadyattes and Alyattes.
Shortly after the Lydian lions emerged, other electrum coins were minted with a variety of iconography.
Edited to add: the "nose wart" is a sun.
Edited by ThisIsFun
08/28/2014 08:20 am
08/28/2014 08:20 am
























