Croesus Silver Half-Stater NGC XF 5x3

This silver half-stater hails from the Lydian Empire under King Croesus and is truly the first silver coinage ever issued in human history! Roughly the size of a penny, it depicts the Lion and Bull design on the obverse, thought to symbolize the strength and virility of the Lydian Empire. As with all Lydian coinage, the reverse employs an incuse punch that occurred when the coin was struck by hand, thousands of years ago. The Croesus series of silver coinage ranges in six different sizes, ranging from the full stater down to the tiny 1/24th stater. Oddly enough, there are even smaller coins out there--the 1/48th and the 1/96th stater. The coin shown is the exact coin you will receive. If you would like to learn more about these coins, give us a call or request our eight-page report on ancient coins.