Gold was used in commerce (beside other precious metals) in the Ancient Near East since the Bronze Age, but coins originated much later, during the 6th century BC, in Anatolia.
King Croesus of Lydia is usually credited with the invention, although the Parian Chronicle mentions Pheidon of Argos as a contender. In 546 BC, Croesus was captured by the Persians, who adopted gold as the main metal for their coins.
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Reverse: VICTORIA AЧGЧ Z, cross potent on three steps; at sides, Heraclius and Tiberius standing facing, each holding globus cruciger; CONOB in exergue.
Die Orientation: 7 H
Weight: 4.38 g
Reverse: GNO LЄON PAMЧ Crowned facing bust of Leo III, wearing loros and holding cross in his right hand
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 3.8 g
Reverse: C LЄON P A MЧL - Crowned facing bust of Leo III, wearing loros and holding cross potent.
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 4.42 g
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Reverse: eagle left, holding wreath and scepter in talon
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 8.6 g
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Reverse: VICTORIA AVÇЧ І Cross potent/ CONOB
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.45 g
Reverse: +XP'C • VIИCIT • XP'C • RЄGNAT • XP'C • IMPЄRAT (rosette stops), cross tréflée and feuillue; in center of cross, • within quadrilobe; all within quadrilobe, trefoil fleurée at end of each arc; trilobe in spandrels.
Die Orientation: 1 H
Weight: 3.76 g
Provenance: Triton XXV Session 5 (25 January 2022), lot 455.
Reverse: +DЄVS • InΛDIVTORIV • mЄV • InTЄnDЄ (rosette stops), cross fleuillue with rosettes in angles, all within quadrilobe with ermines in spandrels.
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 2.95 g
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Reverse: VICTORI - A AVGGG ? (officina 4) around, CONOB in exergue, Constantinipolis seated facing, head r., holding spear and cross on globe.
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.31 g
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Reverse: Victory standing left with long cross; VICTORI_A AVGGG B / * / CON OB
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.42 g
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Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGI, Angel standing facing, holding long P-headed cross, and cross on globe; CONOB in exergue
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 4.24 g
The I at the end denotes the 10th officina.
Given that Theodosius was not raised as co-emperor until 590, it makes sense to date the coin to his reign in my opinion.
CONOB="Constantinople, 1/72 pound pure gold"
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Reverse: GLORIA REIPVBLICAE, Roma and Constantinople facing each other, each holding a scepter and together holding a shield inscribed VOT V MVLT X; SMNI in exergue
Die Orientation: 5 H
Weight: 4.06 g
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Reverse: VICTORIA AVGG, Valentinian II and Theodosius seated facing on throne, holding globe between them; palm between legs, figure of Victory with wings spread above; T-R across fields, COM in exergue
Die Orientation: 1 H
Weight: 4.45 g
Reverse: Valentinian III facing, holding long cross and Victory on globe left, stepping on the human-headed serpent with closed-coiled; VICTORI_A AVGGG / R_V / CON OB
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.4 g
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Reverse: VICTORIA AVGGG, Victory standing facing left, holding long jeweled cross; star in left and right fields; CONOB in exergue
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 4.28 g
Reverse: VICTORI-A AVGGGΔ: Victory, winged, draped, standing right, supporting long jeweled cross; star in right field. MintMark: -/-//CONOB
Die Orientation: 6 H
Weight: 4.46 g