Whatever they declare the oldest I have a copy of. Right now I am pretty sure its the striated Lydian electrum pieces, but I have the first Chinese spade as well.
Oldest bronze Gela, Sicily. c5th Century BC. 10mm AE Onkia Obv: GELAS, bull left; pellet in exergue. Rev: Head of river-god right; barley grain to left. Sold
My oldest coins: Ionia, Phokaia. AR Diobol. Circa 521-478 B.C. Obverse: Head of a nymph to left, wearing sakkos adorned with a central band and circular earring. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. Reference: Klein 452. SNG Copenhagen 389-94. SNG Kayhan 522. 1.32g; 10mm Ionia, Kolophon. AR Tetartemorion. Circa 530/25-500 B.C. Persic standard. Obverse: Archaic head of Apollo left. Reverse: Incuse square punch. Reference: Kim & Kroll pp. 84–103; SNG Kayhan 354. 0.21g; 4.5mm Islands off Troas, Tenedos. AR Hemidrachm. Circa 550-470 B.C. Obverse: Archaic janiform head of Zeus and Hera. Reverse: T-E-N-E Labrys; all within linear square within incuse square. Reference: SNG Copenhagen 506-7 var. (differing legend arrangement). 1.81g; 16mm
Exact dates are difficult in the 6th century BC but the town of Sybaris was destroyed in 510 BC so these are in the running. Many archaic Greek coins are lucky to be dated within 50 years. AR nomos 550-510 BC AR trias 550-510 BC There are several differences in specimens of these that probably show a date progression but I am not aware of a work that discusses how to tell the early from the late or of hoard evidence that would help. I would appreciate hearing of these if anyone knows of detailed studies.
The oldest coin in the collection is a bit problematic in my case, but I would say this example is the best candidate, an Attica tetradrachm from the period of 500-490 BC, perhaps a little earlier (early 6th century BC). This particular coin, while typically crude, features a left-facing owl, and a completely reversed "AOE" (ΑOΕΝΑΙΟΝ). Whoever did the engraving for the reverse forgot a fundamental rule: always engrave into the die the reverse of the positive image in order to have the correct orientation for the struck coin. This is a very rare error. 17.7 grams 22.97 mm, 12 h.
That would be this Ionian hekte, dating to 625-600 BCE. Below that is a companion contemporary counterfeit.
APOLLONIA PONTIKA AR Hemiobol OBVERSE: Anchor, A in field REVERSE: Swastika with two parallel lines in each quadrant Struck at Apollonia Pontika, circa 500BC .28g, 6.54mm SNG BM 149; Moushmov 3146 ex. Aegean Numismaics
My oldest coin is an Attica tetradrachm. Off-centered, but affordable and without test cut. Attica Tetradrachm 510-480 BC. Seltman Group G; Asyut Group IV; HGC 4, 1590.
This an Obol with the date 1204 in Roman numerals. At the time in Spain, they were using a calendar system introduced by Augustus Caesar.There is a 38 year difference between the two. The date translates to 1166 A.D. I have undated Roman coins but none worth the calories to trigger the shutter on a camera.
I find it interesting that Western Countries feel that everything was invented in Europe or The Med. I find it myopic when considering Human History world wide. There were many Eastern or “Other” cultures using the concept of money through coinage. Sadly, we seem to think coins must be round. However, even in Western coinage during ancient times had square and irregular coins (I have seen a lot of ancient Roman coins that are a hot mess after manufacture, and Byzantines look and are shaped crudely.) INDIA ' India Gandhara janaprada AR Bent Bar 11.3g 650-600 BCE RARE two dots - also have on BOTH sides is VERY RARE CHINA FISH MONEY China Zhou Dynasty 1046-256 BCE AE Fish Money 67mm 9.5g AB Coole Enc Chinese Coins 6920ff EX: @Ken Dorney West Iona Kolophon AR Tetartemorion 530-520 BCE Archaic Apollo Incuse Punch 0.15g 4.5mm- SNG Kayhan 343 Ex: @John Anthony Oldest Scarab (Represents Periods in Egyptian Culture when they had no Coins): These were worn as necklaces or bracelets as Talismans Egypt SCARAB Middle Kingdom 2065-1650 BCE Scarabaeus Sphinx Oldest Seal: Akkadian 2350-2200 BCE Cylinder Seal Buff stone scene hero wresting antelope winged lion Ex J Tabot with SCENE Oldest Relic Material: These are figurines carved from Russian Mammoth Tusks imported into and carved in China into Chinese Zodiac Figurines: I am Year of the Boar, my Wife is Year of the Rabbit... At the time, it was perfectly legal to own and transport Mammoth Tusk, as it was NOT an endangered species, rather it was Extinct. However, I understand NOW you cannot purchase nor transport them into the US. These are grandfathered. I purchased these on one of my trips to China. Estimated age of Mammoth Tusks: 55,000-60,000 BCE. Mammoth Tusk - Russia find China carved Chinese Zodiac BOAR and RABBIT. Estimated age of Mammoth Tusks: 55,000-60,000 BCE.
Mysia, Kyzikos. Circa 510-475 BC. AR Obol (0.79 gm, 13mm). Obv.: Forepart of boar l.; behind, tunny. Rev.: Head of lion l. in incuse square
20th Century. The Chinese import the tusks through the Land Port at Manzhouli from Siberia. Then trucked to South China to be hand carved. I bought these west of Guangzhou (Canton). Mammoth Tusk used to be a non-controlled commodity when I got them in the 90’s. They were considered extinct, and NOT an endangered species like Elephant Tusk. Since then, they are controlled, and you cannot legally buy them. I checked with Customs, they are grandfathered, and I can legally own them.