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Ultimately, silver coins were transported to Asia. Silver began to flow more freely in Spain and Europe. When the Spanish colonized America after 1492, there were several discoveries of silver in areas such as Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. These early coins were a sign of how silver coins would be designed in the future. At this time, Persia separated Greece and India. These small bits of silver contains a specific weight and were punched with various symbols. In some regions, there were fewer silver coins as more bronze and copper were being used.ĭuring the rule of Mughal Emperor Alamgir II in India, punch-marked coins were created. As regions continued to conquer each other and create new empires, the coinage changed and evolved. They were also produced in areas of the Arab Peninsula and the Iberian peninsula. Coins were soon issued by the Celts, the Phoenicians, the Jews and the Carthaginians. Silver coins started to become a standard means of exchange and an efficient store of value.
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In the area of Greece, similar coins were called Greek Imperial coins. In time, silver denarius coins become the principal coin of the region. Meanwhile, the Romans made their own coins starting in 3rd century BC. With mass production, silver coins, and other precious metal coins were minted as far as Asia and Egypt.
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The concept of a mint to mass produce coins became more popular, though the first mints actually originated in Lydia. At this time, kings issued Greek coins rather than cities issuing them. The empire fell upon Alexander's death and smaller kingdoms evolved. Consider how a one cent zinc coin today is made to look like copper while a mostly copper quarter contains nickel to create a silvery finish which implies a higher worth.īy the 4th century BC, Macedonia dominated the Greek territories and Alexander the Great attacked Persia. Standards to define the weight and value of coins were created, such as the Aiginetic standard and the Attic standard. Over time, coins in small denominations in the Mediterranean are were also made of bronze. Then Greek coins started to be denominated to give them a value in fractions, such as drachmas and staters.Ĭhina independently created their own coinage system but these coins were made of bronze. Many of these coins were painstakingly produced by hand. These stamped pieces of metal quickly became a popular concept in Greece and the colonies near the Mediterranean Sea. They were created from an alloy of silver and gold called electrum. Silver bullion coins are the investment of choice for anyone who wants silver backed with the trust and assurance inherent in official coins produced by government mints.Ī lot of the earliest coins were minted in Lydia in Asia in 600 BC. People also collect silver coins today, such as the more modern Morgan Dollar (although few such items have much value beyond their actual silver content). As a result, certain ancient and old silver coins have become highly collectible, such as the Miliarense.
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By 612 BC, the Persians were using silver coins as money. They have been used for trade since the days of the Greeks. They are considered the oldest mass-produced type of coin in the world. Discover more about buying silver coins and the role they play in our lives yesterday, today, and in the future. There are also numismatic silver coins people may collect for their historical value or simple enjoyment. Silver coins with a high content of this precious metal are used for investment purposes, as a hedge against inflation and to help protect personal wealth. Much or all of the additional premiums paid to get "official government issue" should come back to you later. However buyers can be confident coins will also bring a bit more when it is time to sell. The sovereign mints do charge a bit more for minting so premiums are higher than privately made rounds or bars. The US Mint produced and sold more than 40 million of those coins each year in recent years - making them far and away the most popular coin in the world. The 1 ounce American Silver Eagle, for example, represents the ultimate in liquidity and recognizability. Silver coins are the investment of choice for anyone looking for silver bullion for sale backed with the trust and assurance inherent in official coins produced by government mints.
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