Among the earliest coins ever struck, Ionian electrum fractions from the seventh and sixth centuries BC represent the very dawn of monetary coinage. This 1/48 Stater comes from an uncertain mint in Ionia, the prosperous Greek coastal region of western Anatolia, dating to roughly 600-550 BC. These tiny electrum pieces circulated at a time when coined money was a new invention, passed hand to hand in the bustling markets and harbors of the ancient Aegean world.

The obverse displays an uncertain design in bold relief, characteristic of the improvised yet deliberate artistry of early Ionian coinage. The metal itself is electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver prized by the ancient Lydians and Greeks alike. The reverse shows a square incuse punch, the hallmark technique used by early mint workers to force the metal into the obverse die and authenticate the piece's weight and purity.

NGC grades this coin Choice Extremely Fine, with Strike 4 and Surface 4, reflecting well-preserved detail and appealing surfaces for a piece of this extraordinary antiquity. At just 0.29 grams, it is a remarkable survival from the very origins of coined money. For those drawn to the earliest chapter of numismatic history, this Ionian electrum fraction is a genuine artifact of the ancient world. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

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