Ancient Greek coinage
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The history of ancient Greek coinage can be divided into four periods: the Archaic, the Classical, the Hellenistic and the Roman. The Archaic period extends from the introduction of coinage to the Gre
The earliest coinage of Athens, a "Wappenmünzen" didrachm struck c. 545-525/515 BC
Archaic drachm of Athens with effigy of Athena on the obverse, and olive sprig, owl and ΑΘΕ, initials of "Athens" on the reverse. Struck c. 510-500/490 BC
Above: Six rod-shaped obeloi (oboloi) displayed at the Numismatic Museum of Athens, discovered at Heraion of Argos. Below: grasp of six oboloi forming one drachma
Uninscribed electrum third stater from Lydia, early 6th century BC. Obverse: lion head and sunburst Reverse: plain square imprints, probably used to standardise weight
Coin
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A coin is a small object, usually round and flat, used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender. They are standardized in weight, and produced in large quantities at a mint in order to facili
A selection of metal coins
Coin of Alyattes of Lydia, c. 620/10–564/53 BC
The earliest inscribed coinage: electrum coin of Phanes from Ephesus, 625–600 BC. Obverse: Stag grazing right, ΦΑΝΕΩΣ (retrograde). Reverse: Two incuse punches, each with raised intersecting lines.
An oxhide ingot from Crete. Late Bronze Age metal ingots were given standard shapes, such as the shape of an "ox-hide", suggesting that they represented standardized values.