The Israel Museum presents White Gold. Revealing the World’s Earliest Coins, an exhibition on view May 8, 2012-March 31, 2013.
Electrum Stater. Lesbos . Ca. 500 – 450 BCE . Lion’s head right / incuse punch. Photo the Israel Museum
An exceptional display of the first coins ever minted, issued in western Asia Minor (modernday Turkey) from the 7th century BCE. Made of an alloy of gold and silver known as electrum or “white gold,” these coins were exquisitely fashioned. Their story opens yet another window onto the wonders of ancient Greek art and culture, revealing that great masterpieces can also be found on small, everyday objects. All 500 coins in the exhibition, from two private collections, are presented to the public for the very first time. – www.imj.org.il