Money as we know it has been used for over 1000 years, and gradually, we are going to a coinless and billless world. But we are not here to look at the future; we are here to go some years back and see what coins that were made back are still alive in modern days. They bring with them stories of ancient days, monarchs, and enchanting times in history for us to discover.
The Lion Stater
The Lydian Lion Stater goes back to around 600 BCE and is brought to us from Lydia. Today, the land of Lydia is called Turkey. The Lion Stater is thought to be one of the first coins introduced as money and paved the way for a new way of purchasing and trading. These coins are recognized for the lion portraits on one side of the coin.
Indian Punch Coins
India is much more than Hari Krishna and one of the most fascinating cultures in the world. One significant item sourced from this rich culture is the punch-marked coins, which go back as far as the 6th century. These coins did not have just one marking or ornament, and they were found in many varieties and forms. Elephant imges, known to be sacred animals in India, were often used to decorate the coins.
Roman Aes
The Romans contributed to ancient history and, at some stage, were the most significant culture of that time. They were pioneers in so many aspects and also contributed the Roman Aes Signatum. These coins date back to the 3rd century, they were made of bronze and reflected the power if the great Roman Empier. These ancient bronze discs would later on be the main sort of coins in the ancient world.
Japanese Wadōkaichin
You might think that Europe was the only contributor of coins and culture in ancient days; however, the far Eastern countries had a significant role as well. Ancient Japan has a rich and fascinating history, and the coins they produced are fascinating just as much. The Wadokaichin is probably one of the most famous Japanese coins discovered. The Chinese coins are what inspired these, and they were used not only for trading but also for Buddhist traditions.
Worldwide Coins
There is so much we can learn from the way ancient coins were produced and used, and whenever archaeologists from all over the world find new ones, it feels as if we are closer to understanding the way of life from back then. On every coin, there is an image, and every one of these images has a significant meaning and tells a remarkable story.