Coins as testimonies of the past


Coins are thought to have been invented by the Lydians, who lived in the western part of what is now Turkey, an area rich in gold. Thanks to the trading activities of the Greek city-states, they soon spread to all corners of what was then the known world.

Coins have been a part of everyday life for 2500 years. Coins and coin finds therefore tell us a lot about the most diverse aspects of history. Rulers and states guaranteed the quality and value of the coins they minted and left their own indelible stamp on them. Coins thus became a vehicle for self-presentation by kings, princes and cities. As their use spread to people of all classes, they came to be used for propaganda purposes as well.

The historical depth of numismatics was apparent even in the days of Humanism and is known to have fascinated both Petrarch (1304–1374) and Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466/69–1536).