Lydian coinage

Timeline

1. c. -650–-600Sardis · LydiaThe Lydian royal house set up a mint at Sardis, striking round coins of natural electrum bearing royal emblems such as lion heads, and stipulated standard weight and fineness, so transactions no longer depended on weighing and testing purity each time.
2. c. -560–-546Sardis · LydiaDuring Croesus's reign, pure gold and silver coins were further issued, forming a bimetallic currency system; Lydian coinage reached its peak of credibility and became a model imitated by the Greek world.
3. c. -600–-550Aegean coast · IoniaClose trade and political ties between Lydia and the Ionian city-states quickly carried minting techniques to Greek cities such as Ephesus and Miletus, where each polis began striking standard silver coins bearing its civic emblem.