Alyattes was the fourth king of the Mermnad dynasty in Lydia, the son of Sadyattes and grandson of Ardys. He was succeeded by his son Croesus.
A battle between his forces and those of Cyaxares, king of Media, was interrupted by the solar eclipse on 28 May 585 BC. After this, a truce was agreed and Alyattes married his daughter Aryenis to Astyages, the son of Cyaxares. The alliance preserved Lydia for another generation, during which it enjoyed its most brilliant period.
Alyattes occupies a unique position in numismatics because he likely produced the first true coins - struck to a fixed standard weight and with a uniform design. However, it took some time before ancient coins were used for commerce and trade. Even the smallest-denomination electrum coins, perhaps worth about a day's subsistence, would have been too valuable for buying a loaf of bread.
A battle between his forces and those of Cyaxares, king of Media, was interrupted by the solar eclipse on 28 May 585 BC. After this, a truce was agreed and Alyattes married his daughter Aryenis to Astyages, the son of Cyaxares. The alliance preserved Lydia for another generation, during which it enjoyed its most brilliant period.
Alyattes occupies a unique position in numismatics because he likely produced the first true coins - struck to a fixed standard weight and with a uniform design. However, it took some time before ancient coins were used for commerce and trade. Even the smallest-denomination electrum coins, perhaps worth about a day's subsistence, would have been too valuable for buying a loaf of bread.
(1)
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.
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