History of Ancient Coins

Lydia does not have many marvelous things to write about in comparison with other countries, except for the gold dust that is carried down from Mount Tmolus.  —Herodotus, The History, 1.93

    Beginning with the invention of coinage in Asia Minor during the seventh century B.C., coins have afforded man an important means of artistic expression as well as a convenient medium of exchange. The earliest coins, the Lydian Lions, were struck in Lydia and Ionia (modern western Turkey) from electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. Each coin blank was cast to a predetermined weight. It was then heated to produce a malleable metal and struck with a hammer between two engraved dies. These archaic coins usually depict a symbol of the city or ruler on the obverse and a crude punch mark on the reverse. They were the world's first true coins because they were composed of a scarce metal, of a consistent weight, and guaranteed by a government. (1)
   There was a vigorous trade between the Ionian city states and Lydian kingdom. Lydian rulers and Ionian city state rulers were also related by marriage. Many historians and archaeologists speculate that increased trade was a spark for invention of the coins. Coins might had facilitated a move from cumbersome barter system of trade to simple system based on the money. Others speculate that they were stuck as offerings to the Gods in their religious ceremonies. Lydian coins found in Ionian mainland temple of Greek goddess Artemis (Romans called her Diana) during archeological excavation in 1951 gives credence to such speculation. Logically, both ideas make sense but we may never know.

Objectives
Understand the process and history of coin making.
Learn about the evolution of coins and the different features we see today on coins such as symbols, mint marks and portraits.
Create an ancient coin, which will include a portrait and symbols on the obverse and reverse, the edging, the mintmark and date.

Vocabulary
Device or Type: The principal design object (such as portrait or shield)
Date: The year(s) shown on a coin, usually the same as the year it was minted
Field: Flat, undetailed part of the surface of a coin between the raised designs
Legend: The principal inscription on a coin
Motto: A word or phrase imprinted on a coin to express a guiding national principle
Facing: The direction a portrait looks towards on a coin.
Mintmark: A small letter or letters that denote place of mintage or engraver
Relief: Any part of a coin design that is raised above the coin's surface
Rim: Raised border around the circumference of a coin

Design a Coin Directions
First design the front (obverse) side of the coin.  On your practice page.

1. A rim must be visible on both sides of the coin. Draw this first.

2. Choose your "Device", a person, an animal an event, a building, a piece of art to be the center of attention of your coin.
Your "Device" should be from a ancient civilization we have studied like: Sumerian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Harrapan, Mohenjo-Dao, Shang, Phoenician, Hebrew, Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian  
Make it simple.
Put it in the center of your coin.

3. A legend  or motto will encircle your "Device" at the top of the coin near the rim.
The legend can explain what your "Device" is, a name or description.
Instead of the decription you can find or make up a motto about your ancient civilization.
WRITE THE LEGEND OR MOTTO USING ALL CAPITALS.

4. At the bottom near the rim include the date of when your "Device" lived or took place.
Choose a city in your civilization as the mint mark.  An abbreviation where the coin was minted.
Create this in the right "Field" area of your "Device" include the mint mark.

5. On the back (reverse) side draw any image that has something to do with your civilizations culture.

6. Write the name of your civilization at the top near the rim.  USE ALL CAPITALS

7. At the bottom near the rim create a value of your coin.

8. In the "Field" put in your initials as the designer.

9. Color your coin.Your coin may be bronze, silver. or gold.
Color with crayon.  Shade lightly.
A little green may give it a little patina.

Wadell, Edward J; A Brief History of Ancient Coins 13 October 2007 (1)

RK; A Brief history of Coin Invention 13 October 2007