No we are not talking about Croesus in Lydia in the 6th century BC, but about the Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1345-1327 BC. Numismatica Genevensis SA just sold a unique silver ingot with the hieroglyphic inscription: Tutankhamun regent of Heliopolis of Upper Egypt. 42mm x 20mm, 7mm thick and a weight of 41.55g. The extreme rarity of the existing copies today is explained in particular by the fact that Egypt did not have any silver mine. This came from exchanges with cities in the Middle East, such as Ugarit, Byblos or Beirut. One can thus think that such objects were reserved for particular or ceremonial purposes. This super rare ingot constitutes the first monetary object dated in the world. For more details : https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?lot=101&p=lot&sid=3516 Please post your coins of Egypt or your most ancient coinage examples !
Ptolemy II Ae DiObol CPE B 174 After 275/4 B.C. Obv Head of Zeus right lareate. Rv Eagle standing left with open wings. 17.29 grms 25 mm
Here is a my Stone Scarab from "Nebmaatre Amenhotep III The Magnificent King. Father of Akhenaten and Grandfather of Tutankhamun. Ruled Egypt at the height of its power. Built many temples and monuments, including his enormous Mortuary Temple. Was the son of Thutmose IV." ---Wikipedia List of Pharaohs. Egypt Amenhotep III Scarab 1390-1352 BCE cartouch Neb Maat Ra 43.37g 45mm ex Gustave Mustake OLDEST WESTERN COIN: Iona Kolophon AR Tetartemorion 530-520 BCE Archaic Head of Apollo Incuse Punch 0.15g 4.5mm- SNG Kayhan 343 OLDEST INDIA COIN ' India Gandhara janaprada AR Bent Bar 11.3g 650-600 BCE RARE two dots - also have on BOTH sides is VERY RARE OLDEST CHINA FISH MONEY China Zhou Dynasty 1046-256 BCE AE Fish Money 67mm 9.5g AB Coole Enc Chinese Coins 6920ff EX: @Ken Dorney EGYPT COIN: Egypt Ptolemy I Soter Tet Delta bankers marks OLDEST EGYPT ITEM Egypt Neolithic Arrowhead 8000 BCE
Great coins, John. I really like the Griffon and the Boar. I always chuckle about the Tunny Head... why was that so important to put on a coin. Yeah, I understand tuna were a staple. But a fish head? LOL
The origin of Roman coinage, aes rude. These examples ex McCabe & RBW Collections. One of these days I really hope to add a few more of the early pre aes grave pieces
thanks for posting I like pre-coin money. Most of mine is Central Italy (some may before founding of Rome).