Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals. It naturally occurs in in western Anatolia, and it is here that the first coins were made.
Many early Lydian coins were minted by merchants as tokens to be used in trade transactions, and the Lydian state also minted electrum coins, most of the coins mentioning king Alyattes of Lydia, who is often credited with the invention of coinage.
Many early Lydian coins were minted by merchants as tokens to be used in trade transactions, and the Lydian state also minted electrum coins, most of the coins mentioning king Alyattes of Lydia, who is often credited with the invention of coinage.
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Alyattes
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Obverse: Head of roaring lion facing right, sun directly above, another orb (star?) in the ear, and a third in the mouth
Reverse: Two incuse punches
Diameter:
14 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.68 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.68 g
Lydian Kingdom
10 punches, these are believed to have been to prove ownership when paying taxes, as this was a large sum of money, and the most common denomination, as compared to the thought that they were bankers marks to test that it isn't a plated fake
While the sun is clearly the sun, it used to be called a wart, however it seems no one mentions the other two orbs. I know nothing about astronomy but I think there's a high chance this is referencing some astronomical event.
10 punches, these are believed to have been to prove ownership when paying taxes, as this was a large sum of money, and the most common denomination, as compared to the thought that they were bankers marks to test that it isn't a plated fake
While the sun is clearly the sun, it used to be called a wart, however it seems no one mentions the other two orbs. I know nothing about astronomy but I think there's a high chance this is referencing some astronomical event.
Sear 3398
