Making Coins
The first coins were made in the 6th century BC in the area of modern Turkey. They were simple lumps of metal, carefully weighed, with an identifying device on one side.
Coin 1 is a similar but later example. Coins rapidly spread around the Mediterranean, and quickly took on more recognisable shapes and designs, like Coin 2, from Rome.
Coins were made at mints, using a process called striking. Metal was weighed to a 'weight standard', and then heated to create a plain disc. This 'blank' was then struck between two engraved stamps ('dies'), which left their design on the coin. Casting was not frequently used.
