Lydian Stater
OriginLydia
First Minted600 BC
MaterialGold/Electrum
TypeCoin
About Lydian Stater
The first true coin in history. Minted by King Alyattes in the kingdom of Lydia, in what is now Turkey. Made of electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver found in the Pactolus River. The stater featured a lion head stamp, the royal symbol of Lydia. King Croesus later introduced pure gold and silver coins. The phrase rich as Croesus comes from his legendary wealth from coinage.
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