Early Coins

[Disclaimer: I am not involved in the coin market in anyway. I consider being involved in any sort of market where translations may affect the value of the objects to be unethical]

Coinage on this site is defined as any object having an image defining its state exchange value where that object is accepted for state tax payments. Coinage is not just any lump of metal with an image. Coinage began in the kingdom Lydia in western Anatolia between 700 and 550 BCE. In this case it was used to define the value of electrum nuggets which being some mix of gold and silver was hard to value by weight.

First Coinage From Lydia Shows 2 Sun Lions

(June 9, 2023) The dating of these first stamped coins is one of the most frequently debated topics of ancient numismatics with dates ranging from 700 BC to 550 BC. Lydia ruled most of western Anatolia before they were conquered by the rising Persian empire in 547 BCE.
The Lydian stater was composed of electrum, a naturally-occurring gold-silver alloy; though the coins are often reported to be struck from this naturally-occurring alloy, they were actually made from a specific and rather consistent mix of approximately 55% gold, 45% silver, and a small balance of copper. This indicates that silver and copper were added to natural electrum in order to achieve a more durable and balanced metal alloy. Although the extra copper slightly debased the coin's intrinsic value, it allowed it to exhibit a golden hue, unlike the pale white-gold color of pure electrum.
Image from: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5877/the-earliest-coins-from-lydia/#google_vignette

First Coinage From Lydia Shows Sun Lion And Unicorn Storm Bull

(June 9, 2023) Because these coins were made from a mixture of metals they could not just be weighed to determine their value. Therefore the Lydian state put on an image and likely defined their valued by decree and accepted that value for taxes.
This coin shows the sun lion paired with its complement, the chaotic storm bull.
Image from: https://www.worldhistory.org/article/797/the-importance-of-the-lydian-stater-as-the-worlds/

First Coinage From Lydia Shows Sun Lion And Sun Above Eye

(June 9, 2023) Image from: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=57383#

This is the first Athenian Silver Tetradrachm coin. The tetra prefix indicates it is equivalent to 4 drachma coins. These Tetradrachms are suppose to weigh about 16 grams.
An ancient dram, (drachm) according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is a unit of weight in both the old apothecaries’ and avoirdupois systems. An apothecaries’ dram is the closest to the ancient system. It contains 3 scruples (3.888 grams) of 20 grains each and is equal to one-eighth apothecaries’ ounce of 480 grains.
Original photo from Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG, Auction 77, Lot 43. Taken from: https://coinweek.com/the-tetradrachms-of-athens-and-athena/

Reference

https://www.britannica.com/science/dram

The First Athenian Silver Tetradrachm (515 BCE)

(July 11, 2023) Taking a cue from the Lydian sun lion and storm bull coin which contrasted chaotic versus orderly powers, the Athenians with their silver mine at Laurium (Lavrio) did something similar. They contrasted the sun lion (healthy sun) with a drought causing sick sun which later came to be called the Gorgon.

This coin seems to have been the first coin ever struck to have an engraved design on both sides (obverse and reverse, heads and tails).

The mine at Laurium seems to have been a source of silver as early as 2000 BCE. Commercial level production commenced in 483 BCE with the discovery of rich vein of silver in the vicinity of modern Ag. Konstantinos, otherwise known as Maronia. The mines were rented out to various individuals for a fixed percentage of the production. The most difficult work, including the extracting underground ore came to be done by slaves. This suggests the right to mine was opened up to open bidding. Those able to mine the cheapest and promise the state the highest percentage got the contract

References

Lavrion Ancient Silver Mines. Online at: https://ancient-greece.org/archaeology/lavrion.html

Shutterfly, Michael (Dec 16, 2020) The Tetradrachms of Athens (and Athena). Online at: https://coinweek.com/the-tetradrachms-of-athens-and-athena/

(Med Text 34.1) This is probably the earliest Athenian owl coin in existence because it shows the original Alphabetic Akkadian writing direction of left to right. Photo originally from: Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XX, Lot 104. www.romanumismatics.com

(Med Text 34.2) A rare and early Athenian owl coin type actually has the letter teth (Greek theta) between the A and E instead of an ayin indicating people knew the difference between the letters. So this actually spells Athe meaning "Those Thu powers" after the patron motion power god of Athens, Thu. This type of owl coins was probably only used locally while the more spiritual coin was used internationally. Tetradrachm (22mm, 17.16 grams). Picture online at: https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=6823&lot=106

(Med Text 34.1) A slightly later version of the coin. Photo originally from: Roma Numismatics Ltd, Auction XX, Lot 104. www.romanumismatics.com

(Med Text 34.1) Another early internation owl coin. Photo from NG coins at: https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/2245/Ancients-Owls-Through-the-Years---A-Look-at-the-Evolution-of-Athenian-Tetradrachms/

Photo shows a stone sculpture of an Athenian owl at the Acropolis museum in Athens (Olmsted photo 2019)

Archaic Era Athenian Owl Silver Tetradrachms (512-490 BCE

(July 11, 2023) Greek culture resulted from a mixing of Neolithic farmer Druid culture and the culture of the Indo-European invaders. The Greek culture's attempted reconciliation of those two sources combined with trade wealth gave Greek culture its dynamism. Notice the olive branch behind the owl which was the source of Athens' prosperity prior to its silver mine. At this time the owl would have represented the chaotic aspect in the motion powers while the deity Thu represented the orderly aspect. Motion powers were manifested as the winds so they were honored by sailors and commercial traders.

Athena as: AṬNA means "Motion-Powers" (plural). The central letter of the top coin (as most later coins) is not a teth (theta) but is instead the Akkadian letter ayin which is a glottal stop sound not used in Indo-European.

Translation in Akkadian of Ayin Containing Text (Med Text 34.1)

(Read right to left or left to right. Capital letters on coin. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)

A'E (Med 34.1)

In English.

Motion-Power

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

Translation in Akkadian Of A Rare Theta Containing Text (Med Text 34.2)

(Read left to right. Capital letters on coin. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)

A ṬE (Med 34.2)

In English.

This is a Thu-Power

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

Replacing the letter ayin with theta as shown in the next lower coin changes the translation to the phrase "Those Thu Powers." The hermaphrodite deity Thu was the connective motion power of the Ancient Pagan Paradigm. Yet this change of translation does not change the underlying meaning. Both translations emphasize honoring the motion powers.

The letter he (E/H) found on the end of both texts is an Akkadian grammatical ending on deity or spirit indicating it represents a power and not a persona.

A good introducltion to the Athenian owl coins. Just look past their lack of linguistic expertise and resultant lack of knowledge of the ancient world.

Calf Bearer Inscription from the archaic era Athenian acropolis

Proof that the letter represented by the circle and dot on Athenian coins is not a theta is provided by the contemporary Calf Bearer Inscription from the archaic era Athenian acropolis. Both the letters ayin and teth (theta) are shown. The letter ayin has the central dot while teth (theta) has a cross.
The text reads in Alphabetic Akkadian “[Hu’s] fertility-fluids are nesting which is eliminating the openings, Fertility-fluids are going dark which is starving the Supervisor (Ayu or Athena). Astrological owls …..” (Olmsted January 14, 2021)

(Med Text 34.1) These are early classical era owl coins dating to 490-454 BCE. Top photo is from NG coins at: https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/2245/Ancients-Owls-Through-the-Years---A-Look-at-the-Evolution-of-Athenian-Tetradrachms/
Bottom Photo from Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, www.cngcoins.com

Classical Era Athenian Owl Coins (490 - 404 BCE)

(July 3, 2022) The coins now become more refined and include an image of the crescent moon behind the owl. The cresent moon represents the life power connective goddess of Ayu. So now the coin balances motion powers with life powers.

(Med Text 34.1) Late Classical era coins were heavily used internationally so these are the most common Athenian owl. They date to 454 to 404 BCE.

Archaic Era Owl Coins From Levant Date With Unique Text (~500 BCE)

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 59)

(Read left to right (bottom to top). Capital letters on coin. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)

EWu Ya'u (Lev 59.1)

In English.

Turn to Yahu (Y')

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

Reference

Gitler, Haim (2011 ) The Earliest Coin ever found in Judah. It was reported in Israel Numismatic Research. Published by the Israel Numismatic Society, Volume 6

This is another Athenian owl coin produced in Judah. What is unique here is the reversed orientation of the outer letters when compared to the inner letters. Perhaps this is style indicating a contrast in cultures.

Translation in Akkadian (Levant Text 63)

(Read top to bottom with outer letters upside down compared to center letters. Capital letters on coin. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)

AWu Ya'u E (Lev 63.1)

In English.

Motion-powers are not Yahu (Y')

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

Reference

Gitler, Haim (2011) The Earliest Coin ever found in Judah. It was reported in Israel Numismatic Research. Published by the Israel Numismatic Society, Volume 6

Paeonian Coins (-450 BCE)

(June 10, 2023) Coins from a horde allegedly found in Paeonia which together form a battle sequence from left to right. Coin hoards seem to represent wealth used for state to state transactions or tribute outside of classical civilization areas so they can have old coins no longer in general circulation. The center coin (16) shows the full text. The other coins have the short version of the text. The coins indicates some sort of conflict was happening when they were minted. This lettering is a mix of Greek and Etruscan so probably dates to 450 BCE. Image and research paper from: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-ct-collaboration-paeonians-celts.392714/

Translation in Alphabetic Akkadian

(June 10, 2023) The land of Paeonia is north of Alexander the Great's Macedon and was a buffer state between Macedon and the Celts. The horse and rider represents the motion powers while the ground warrior represents the life powers.

Translation in Akkadian (Med Text 33.1)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)
15. Ya'u ARu Tu (Med 33.1.15)16. Ya'u ARu Tu APu (Med 33.1.16)17. Ya'u ARu Tu Šu Tu (Med 33.1.17)
(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English.

15. Yahu is being controlled by magic16. Yahu is being controlled by magic's veil (astrological powers)17. Yahu is being controlled by magic {behind horse} A correspondence of magic

From Ancient Coin Podcast with Aaron Burke at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up-fxZQZ0k0

Another Version of Coin 16

(June 10, 2023) Another version of the Paeonian coins with a readable label for the warrior. This lettering is a mix of Greek and Etruscan so probably dates to 450 BCE. The horse warror represents the motion powers. The warrior on the ground represents the life powers.

Translation in Akkadian (Med Text 33.2)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)

Ya A Tu Ru Gi Ku Pu (Med 33.2)

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

In English.

Does not this magic open the eagle-vulture's energy for involvement.

(June 10, 2023) “Controllers” is an epithet for the life power Goddess Ayu, eagle-vultures, and owls who direct and control the flow of fertility-fluids through the life network. This lettering is a mix of Greek and Etruscan so probably dates to 450 BCE. The horse warror represents the motion powers. The warrior on the ground represents the life powers. Image from: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-ct-collaboration-paeonians-celts.392714/

Translation in Akkadian (Med Text 33.3 and 33.4)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)

A [I]Tu A'u Pu (Med 33.3)
Ya ARu [1] (Med 33.4)

In English.

This [om]en open's motion-powers
Are not the Controllers [word]

Photo from: https://www.coinworld.com/news/world-coins/2014/07/Early-tetradrachms-of-northern-Greece.html

So Called Coin of Mendes (~400 BCE)

(June 11, 2023) This coin is an example of some of the fake history going around in the numismatic community. This coin is claimed to be from the city of Mendes mentioned in some ancient Greek sources and based on the "MENDA" lettering found on the coin. Yet the letters "ON" are not a Greek word, something that is conveniently not mentioned. The center image of the life tree indicates this coin must have a spiritual theme. No coin like this ever has been found in a proper excavation of the site. That this coin originated in the city of Medes is a pure guess not supported by the linguistic evidence.

These leaves the conclusion that this must be an Alphabetic Akkadian text having Greek style lettering which indeed it is:

Translation in Akkadian (Med Text 32)

(Read right to left. Capital letters on seal. Small letters are inferred Inner vowels. Verb is italic bold)

ADu Nu EMu Ne'u (Med 32.1)

In English.

Observe the revelation of the Supervisor's (Ayu) affection

(Dual use letters are E/H, I/Y, U/W, and '/A in which vowel appears at beginning of words except for Yahu which is keeping its traditional Hebrew transliteration)

Ayu is the connective life powers goddess of the Ancient Pagan Paradigm and is represented by the crescent moon. She and her eagle-vultures are responsible for editing the life network which brings fertility fluids to earth so they can trigger the revelation of invisible ("platonic") life forms.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse