Oldest Coin In The World

| 08-03-2021
[RAND-1-100] Comments

Jun 20, 2006 The oldest coin available today was discovered in Efesos, an ancient Hellenic city and prosperous trading center on the coast of Asia Minor. The 1/6 stater, pictured below, is more than 2,700 years old, making it one of the very earliest coins. The Oldest Coin in the World. 600-300 BC: Round, base metal coins were invented in China, independent of the Lydian coinage. 600-570 BC: The use of coins spread from Lydia to Greece, where the Greek began minting their own coins. 546 BC: Croesus, the. True, the 1909-S VDB is perhaps the most popular rare penny. But it is far from being the rarest one-cent coin! While it boasts the lowest mintage among the regularly struck Lincoln pennies and is indeed considered rare — with nearly 500,000 made and perhaps 20,000 or more still in existence — the 1909-S VDB is not the rarest penny.

  1. Oldest Coin In The World Right Now
  2. Oldest Known Coin In History
Do you know what is the oldest coin in the world? Some people say that Lydian Electrum 1/6 stater is the oldest 'western' and first coin but they're some argument whether the Electrum 1/6 stater is a coin or just a ceremonial objects issued by priests. The 1/6 stater discovered in Ancient Greek temple in Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and probably minted in Lydia some 2,700 years ago. The coin have originated ca. 600-550 BC in Anatolia (Turkey), in particular in the Anatolian kingdom of Lydia. Some numismatist don't consider this as a coin since they're not used in commerce and exchanges. Like other Electrum coins, the Electrum 1/6 stater were not standardized in weight.

The Greek historian Herodotus, writing in the fifth century BC, stated that 'the Lydians were the first people we know to have struck and used coinage of silver and gold.' He did not say that Lydian coin is the first coin in the world.

Lydian 1/6 stater:
The Lydian Electrum 1/6 stater coins were hand struck. A die with a lion head design for the obverse of the coin. A blank piece of metal was placed on top of the die and a punch hammered onto the reverse. The result was a coin with an image on one side and a punch mark on the other.Source: British Museum.

The oldest lion head coins were discovered in that temple, and the fact that they were not used in commerce, strengthens the scenario that these coins found there may have actually been badges or medals that were issued by the priests of the temple of Artemis, and the name of the person who received the badge or medal was inscribed on it. Artemis in Anatolia was named Potnia Theron, which is translated as 'mistress of the animals' and her symbol was the lion and the tiger. Source: Wikipedia.

Aegina Chelone coin
Another coin that can be put into consideration for the oldest coin is Aegina Chelone coins minted ca. 700-550 BC. Based on numismatist study, the first turtle coins of Aegina are considered minted ca. 550 BC. The coin produce either by the local Aegina people or by Pheidon, King of Argos (who first set the standards of weights and measures). In B.C. 456 Aegina was one of the greatest commercial states of Greece. This is also the world first silver coin ever minted.

On the obverse show sea-turtle with row of dots down back, and an additional dot on each side at front. The back of the coin show Incuse square divided by broad bands into a conventional pattern of five compartments.

India and China also a possible place for a start of first coins in this world.
Which one of these coins that you think is the world oldest coin ever minted?

Before money was introduced, cowry shells/seashells, beads of various types; and in India, cows were medium of exchange. But who introduced the first coins which can also be counted among the world’s oldest coins?

There is no end to debate on claiming a certain coins as world’s first coin. The debate is not likely to die down soon.

It starts with definition of a coin. Simply speaking a coin is a piece of metal, stamped by a legitimate authority, of a prescribed weight carrying symbols, inscriptions or both.

The simple wisdom “all the coins are money, but all the moneys are not coin” helps little in determining the first coin of the world. Archaeological evidences are subject to interpretations and experts from different opinions which create a sort of uncertainty in determining acceptable ideas of first coin.

In the context of India, many hoards are found but very few are reported. It is very difficult to determine location of the find, stratigraphy (if found in a particular stratum), other details about the accompanying coins etc. which makes it almost impossible to come to a conclusion.

Ancient Greek coins and coins of Lydia are known to be the first amongst the coins of the world. However, a common period is not yet determined by various claimants. Since the ancient coins were without inscriptions and carried just symbols, the determination of a particular period is subject to other materials found with them.

Trite or 1/3 Stater of Lydia

Oldest Coin In The World Right Now

TheFirst coins in the world

In India, early Punch Marked Coins (PMCs) of various Mahajanapadas are candidates for first coins of India and contest the space for World’s first coins. Though many experts believe that the first coins of India were introduced in 5-4th Century BCE, there are suggestions that first coins in India were introduced in 6th Century BCE. Some uninscribed cast copper coins also make it to the list of first Indian coins.

However, there have been references of ‘money’ in ancient Indian literature like Brahamanas, Vedas etc. terms such as Suvarna, Hiranyam, Shatamana are found and they indicate a kind of ‘money’ in use. But no concrete evidences have been found as no claims are thoroughly investigated. In Buddhist literature too there are mentions of coins of silver and gold.

Dr Nupam Mahajan PH.D, FRNS (www.nupam.com) is of the opinion that India developed the first coins in the World which can also be the world’s oldest coins. Many experts like Mitchiner believe that Indian coins were influenced by western and Islamic coinage. However, looking at the vast Punch Marked Coin series, it is difficult to believe above statement, as these coins show genuine and innovative minting technique, local devices, fabric and styles.

Gandhar Janapada is one of the first Janapadas to mint coins in India. A shatamana coin of 11+ grams is known as bent bar in 6th Century BCE. They are found in various length and thickness but carry standard shatamana weight.

Gandhara Janapada Bent Bar 7th – 6th Century B.C.

Oldest Known Coin In History

Since dating is most challenging part of such coin and coin hoards, it will take some time to come to a final conclusion and declare the winner!