650-600 B.C. Greek Electrum Hekte of Ionia NGC Choice AU

Is This Unique Piece the First Coin Ever Created?

In the land of Ionia (now the West coast of Turkey), an idea was raised in the late seventh century B.C. – electrum could be melted down and cast into balls of a set weight, then marked with a special punch to show they were manufactured at that set weight. The first coins were born, including this unique piece that may be the very first of its kind.

Unlike other early coins, which feature a smooth surface or striped design, the obverse of this coin is rough, as though the process hadn’t been refined yet. It also features a small incuse square for a punch, rather than the large or double punches found on other early Ionian coins. Could this have been a test piece to see how the punches would look?

In the last few years, scholars have managed to determine where and when early coins were struck by matching their punches with other pieces. However, this coin doesn’t seem to match any known examples, and was certainly struck during the first 40 years of Ionian coin minting. It’s the only one in the world, and it can be yours certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in Choice About Uncirculated (Ch AU) condition with a Strike 5/5 and a Surface 4/5. Make it yours today!

• RARE ANCIENT COIN – This Greek Electrum Hekte of Ionia was struck sometime between 650-600 B.C. making it more than 2,600 years old and among the oldest coins ever minted!

• STRUCK IN ELECTRUM – Your coin is struck in electrum, a naturally formed blend of silver gold. The resulting metal mixture is often referred to as “pale gold” and was a ready medium of exchange in the ancient world.

• INDIVIDUALLY HAND-STAMPED – This was stamped or struck one at a time, meaning no two coins are exactly alike.

• BEAUTIFUL CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 650-600 B.C. Greek Electrum Hekte of Ionia graded in Choice About Uncirculated condition is an amazing condition grade for a coin more than 2,600 years old!

Struck between 650-600 B.C., this ancient Greek Electrum Hekte of Ionia is one of the very first coins ever minted. Even more remarkable is the fact that it’s been graded by NGC to be in Choice Abut Uncirculated condition! Secure your coin today!