Ionia. Miletos circa 525-475 BC.
Diobol AR

10 mm, 1,20 g

Forepart of lion to right, his head turned back to left / Star-shaped floral ornament within incuse square.

Nearly Extremely Fine

Klein 424; SNG Keckman 273; SNG von Aulock 2080.

Miletus is credited with being one of the earliest cities to issue its own coins, contributing to the development of coinage as a standardized form of currency. The earliest coins of Miletus are known for their use of electrum, a natural gold-silver alloy found in the region. These coins are often referred to as "Lydian Lion" coins due to their distinctive design featuring a lion's head. The Lydian Lion coins are typically attributed to Alyattes of Lydia, who ruled from around 610 to 560 BC. They display a stylized lion's head on one side and a simple incuse punch on the reverse. The design's uniqueness and consistency across these coins set a precedent for standardized coinage. These early coins were significant in shaping the concept of money as we know it today, providing a means of exchange that was universally recognized within and beyond Miletus. The practice of using a consistent design on coins became a crucial aspect of coinage evolution, with other cities and regions subsequently adopting similar practices. The historical and numismatic importance of Miletus' early coins lies in their role as pioneers in the development of standardized currency and their influence on the wider monetary system of the ancient world.