---
title: The Earliest Coins from Lydia
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5877/the-earliest-coins-from-lydia/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Earliest Coins from Lydia

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![The Earliest Coins from Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5877.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5877.jpg)

## Image Caption

These are some of the earliest coins in the World. Made from electrum, a naturally occurring mixture of [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) and [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/), they were issued in [Lydia](https://www.worldhistory.org/lydia/). Although irregular in size and shape, these early coins were produced according to a strict weight standard. They had a design on one side, and the other side was marked with certain punches. The lion's head seems to have been a royal symbol, so we assume that the coins were authorized by the kings of Lydia. Electrum coins, about 650 BCE. From Lydia, modern-day [Turkey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asia_Minor/). (The British Museum, London).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
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## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, October 31). The Earliest Coins from Lydia. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5877/the-earliest-coins-from-lydia/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Earliest Coins from Lydia." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 31, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5877/the-earliest-coins-from-lydia/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Earliest Coins from Lydia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 31 Oct 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5877/the-earliest-coins-from-lydia/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 31 October 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.