Top 7 Oldest Gold Coins in the World

What is the oldest thing you own? Perhaps a family heirloom, a vintage clothing item, or a rare book? But imagine owning something thousands of years old—something that witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, was used by kings and emperors, and is far more than just a piece of metal. Coins are precisely that—one of the oldest forms of money, used by various civilizations for thousands of years.

Typically made of metal, coins feature distinctive designs or symbols that represent their value, origin, or authority. They serve as both a medium of exchange and a treasure trove of historical and cultural insights. Gold coins have been used as a symbol of riches and power for thousands of years. In this article, we will explore the unique past of the seven oldest gold coins in the world, learning about their origin and importance.

List of 7 Oldest Gold Coins in the World

Lydian Gold Coin (Croeseid)
Achaemenid Daric
Roman Gold Solidus
English Gold Florin
English Gold Noble
English Gold Angel
English Gold Sovereign

1. Lydian Gold Coin (Croeseid)

Founded: Around 550 BC

Dynasty: Lydian Kingdom

Years in Use: Around 80 years

He is associated with providing the first standardized gold coins.

The first bimetallic monetary system in history involved the Croeseid. Coins of both gold and silver were utilized. In the early days, the weight of the silver and gold Croeseid coins was 10.7 grams each. Smaller denominations were also provided.

In the Croeseid’s design, the foreparts of a lion and a bull faced each other. In order to simplify the gold-to-silver exchange rate, the weight of the gold Croeseid was ultimately reduced to 8.1 grams.

Cyrus the Great, the Persian king, utilized the Croeseid system after he resigned Lydia. At the Sardis mint, he continued to issue coins of the same design. After, the development of the Achaemenid Persian coins, the famous gold Daric, was changed by the Croeseid weight and design standard.

The Croeseids had a unique and reliable intrinsic value compared to the older electrum coins, which was provided by their weight and purity accordingly.

2. Achaemenid Daric

Founded: Around 490 BC

Dynasty: Achaemenid Empire

Years in Use: Around 150 years

The Persian Empire began to utilize the Achaemenid Daric, a gold coin around 490 BC. It was brought about by Cyrus the Great following his conquest of Lydia. The standard weight of the Daric was 8.4 grams, and it was made up of around 96% pure gold.

The coins have a Persian king image with a soldier holding a bow and arrow. This shows the Achaemenid kings’ might. The king only had the power to mint the Daric, and anyone who tried to do so was punished by Darius I.

After Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Empire, many Darics were melted down and made into new coins. Darics were still minted in Babylon even after Alexander’s establishment for some time.

The Hebrew Bible mentions the Daric, refers to it as the “adarkonim.” The Greeks believed that Darius the Great, who may have been familiar with the coin, was the origin of the word “Daric.”

3. Roman Gold Solidus

Founded: 310 AD
Dynasty: Roman Empire
Years in Use: Around 11 years

The Roman Gold Solidus was a very pure gold coin that succeeded the Aureus in 310 AD. For seven centuries, it was pure and weighed around 4.5 grams. Initially introduced by Diocletian, it was reintroduced for mass circulation by Constantine the Great. By Constantine’s time, the solidus was valued at 275,000 and debased denarii. The Roman Gold Solidus was a very pure gold coin that succeeded the Aureus in 310 AD. For seven centuries, it was pure and weighted around 4.5 grams.

4. English Gold Florin

Founded: 1344 AD
Dynasty: English Kingdom
Years in Use: Around 2 years

The English Gold Florin, introduced in 1344 during King Edward III’s reign, was intended for use in both England and Europe. It is made from 108 grains of pure gold with a value of 6 shillings.

The obverse featured the king enthroned, while the reverse displayed a royal cross within a quatrefoil. However, its higher weight made it poorly valued, and merchants rejected it. The Florin was withdrawn just months after its release and replaced by the more successful gold Noble.

Only three English Florins are known to exist today. One was sold at auction in 2006 for a record £460,000, making it one of the world’s most expensive coins.

5. English Gold Noble

Founded: 1344 AD
Dynasty: English Kingdom
Years in Use: Around 120 years

The English Gold Noble, introduced during King Edward III’s second coinage (1344-1346), was the first English gold coin minted in significant quantities, following the gold penny and florin. Valued at 6 shillings and 8 pence, it equaled one-third of a pound sterling.

The coin’s weight ranged from 138.5 grains (9.0 grams) to 120 grains (7.8 grams) over time. The obverse showed the king holding a sword and shield aboard a ship, while the reverse displayed a cross. During Edward III’s fourth coinage, the inscriptions were updated to reflect his claim to the French throne. Nobles were also issued under Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, and Henry VI.

The Noble remained a key coin for over a century until Edward IV’s first reign. Its value raised to 8 shillings and 4 pence in 1464, and the “Rose Noble” was introduced, though it proved unpopular. Nobles minted in Calais can be identified by a flag on the ship’s stern.

6. English Gold Angel

Founded: 1465 AD
Dynasty: English Kingdom
Years in Use: Around 177 years

French Angelot coins from 1340 were used as the model for the English Gold Angel, which King Edward IV introduced in 1465. Over time, its value fluctuated between 6 shillings, 8 pence, and 11 shillings. The currency got its name from the obverse, which had Archangel Michael fighting a dragon, and the reverse, which had a ship with sun rays over a cross-shaped masthead.

During the Commonwealth, the Angel was not minted, as it was considered “impious and idolatrous.” In 1660, Charles II replaced it with gold-plated “touch pieces” for royal healing ceremonies. The Angel was last minted under Charles I in 1642, before the English Civil War.

A smaller version, the Half Angel, was introduced in 1472, weighing 40 grains (2.6 grams) with a diameter of 20-21 mm.

7. English Gold Sovereign

Founded: 1489 AD
Dynasty: English Kingdom
Years in Use: Around 153 years

First produced in 1489 by King Henry VII, the English Gold Sovereign had a nominal value of 20 shillings or one pound sterling. Initially crafted as an official bullion coin, it bore no face-value inscription. The original sovereigns were made of 23-carat (95.83%) gold, weighing 240 grains (half a troy ounce). However, King Henry VIII reduced the gold content to 22 carats (91.67%) during “The Great Debasement.”

The sovereign weight 15.55 grams and had a diameter of 42 mm, which made it twice as heavy as the ryal. Its primary use was as a presentation piece for dignitaries rather than for daily transactions. The coin was temporarily replaced in 1604 when King James I introduced the “unite” but was reintroduced in 1817. Today, it remains in production by the British Royal Mint.

The coin’s name, “sovereign,” reflects its grand size and the royal portrait of the reigning monarch on the obverse.

Conclusion

Gold coins continued to be the main form of money until the early 1900s. They are now collectibles. In the numismatics market, the rare and valuable ones bring high prices.

But in 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint made a 100-kilogram gold coin, marking the start of the minting of big and commemorative coins. Over the years, gold coins have seen significant change. However, gold’s of value as a commodity continued to rise. In every era, gold is a highly prized sign of power.