Lydia: Electrum Stater (c. 600-550 BC) - Among the earliest known coins, minted in Lydia (modern-day Turkey), these coins introduced standardized currency.
Athens: Athenian Tetradrachm (c. 510-38 BC) - The iconic owl design on these coins symbolized wisdom and the Athenian Empire's power during the Classical era.
Rome: Denarius (c. 211 BC) - Introduced during the Roman Republic, the denarius became the standard silver coin of ancient Rome, reflecting its economic and military dominance.
Alexander the Great: Tetradrachm (c. 336-323 BC) - Minted across the vast empire of Alexander the Great, these coins depicted his likeness and celebrated his conquests.
Julius Caesar: EID MAR Denarius (c. 44-42 BC) - Issued posthumously, these coins commemorated Julius Caesar's assassination and became symbolic of the end of the Roman Republic.
Byzantine Empire: Solidus (4th-11th centuries AD) - A gold coin that remained stable in value for centuries, reflecting the enduring power and influence of the Byzantine Empire.
China: Ban Liang (3rd century BC) - One of the earliest Chinese coins, standardized under the Qin Dynasty, signaling China's early adoption of coinage for trade and administration.
India: Punch-marked Coins (6th-1st centuries BC) - Among the earliest coins in India, these pieces were hammered from thin sheets of silver and featured symbols representing local rulers and tribes.