An ancient electrum hemihekte-twelfth stater of Sardes set in a modern gold ring, circa 620 - 553 BC
Ring size UK: N
Length of coin: 0.6 cm
Provenance: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc, 4 August 2021
An ancient electrum hemihekte-twelfth stater set in a modern and bespoke 18 carat gold ring.
Dating to 620 - 553 BC and minted in Sardes, Lydia, the coin depicts a faint trace of a roaring lion to the left, with traces of a legend on the reverse.
This ancient coin was minted under the rule of Alyattes I of Lydia, who is celebrated as the creator of coinage. It is believed that the Lydian king was the first monarch to issue coins made from electrum. Electrum is a natural alloy of both gold and silver. His successor, king Croesus was the first to issue gold coinage.
This beautiful ring therefore has a very special connection to the past, as it includes one of the first coins ever minted.