Badge of Cyzicus

Cyzicus in Mysia was one of the great trade cities of the ancient world.

Coin features two dolphins encircling a Cyzicus tuna. The dolphins symbolize Poseidon, the god of the sea.

It was located on the Sea of Marmara and ruled by the Persian Empire until its capture by Alexander the Great in 334 BCE. Tuna fishing was the cornerstone of the economy of Cyzicus, becoming the defining feature of the coinage from the city.

The myth of Perseus & Medusa. Electrum stater struck around 400 BC from Cyzicus.

In the first half of the sixth century BCE, the electrum staters of Cyzicus became one of the most widely recognized coins of their time. For decades, the entire trade in grain in the Black Sea Region was transacted with Cyzicus coins. Gold staters of Cyzicus were a staple currency in the ancient world until they were overtaken by those of Philip of Macedon.

Rare Sphinx of Cyzicus. Six are known.

Celtic coins - Geoff Cottam collection

Spink London sold the Celtic coin collection of Geoff Cottam on December 2, 2015. One of the rarities is one of the finest known gold quarter staters of the Atrebates and Regni peoples, minted under Tincomarus, (c.20 BC-AD 10). It is a 'Medusa' type.

Celtic, Trinovantes and Catuvellauni, uninscribed coinage, (c.60-20 BC), gold Quarter Stater, 1.25g,

Addedomaros Crescent Cross. c.45-25 BC.

The Celtic tribes left little archaeological evidence, and almost all written description of them comes from others. All that remains are artifacts like coins; of which this collection was an incredible treasure trove.

Gold of Croesus

Croesus is credited with issuing the first true gold coins with a standardized purity for general circulation.

Croesus was the king of Lydia from 560 to 547 BC until his defeat by the Persians. In Greek and Persian cultures the name of Croesus became a synonym for great wealth. His wealth came from the River Pactolus in which the King Midas washed his hands to rid himself of the 'Midas Touch'.

Around 550 BC Croesus paid for the construction of the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Croesus is a legendary figure, but was an actual king who ruled from Sardis.

Marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis

Croesus claimed to be happy. Solon disagreed saying no one could be said to have lived a happy life until death, as the living dealt with an unknowable future.

When Croesus learned of the Persians under Cyrus he sent to the Oracle at Delphi to divine whether he should wage war against the Persians. The oracle replied: "If Croesus goes to war he will destroy a great empire."

Tholos of Delphi

Pleased by this answer, Croesus met the Persian army at the Halys River. The battle was a draw. Cyrus pressed the attack, massacred Croesus’ cavalry by mounting his own on dromedaries (camels - whose scent frightened Lydian horses) and captured Croesus. Arm of a soldier, killed in the battle between Croesus and Cyrus. He died clutching a sling stone in his hand.

Croesus was dragged before Cyrus in chains. Cyrus ordered Croesus to be burned alive. Croesus called out for aid from Apollo. "O Solon! Solon! Solon!" Cyrus asked a translator what this meant and Croesus told the story of Solon’s visit, how no man can be counted happy until after his death, and how he was misled by the Oracle at Delphi. Cyrus was moved by this story and Croesus was released. He sent him to Delphi for an answer from the gods as to why he was betrayed. The answer came back that the Oracle had spoken only truth - a great empire had, in fact, been destroyed by Croesus – and it was not the fault of the gods if man misinterpreted the words.

Greek literature for generations held up Croesus as a symbol of great wealth but one whose gold could not assure him happiness. It was in ancient Sardis in the time of Croesus that the first coins of pure gold and pure silver were struck, an important step leading to a monetary economy.

Gold and silver are similar on a chemical level and are often found together forming an alloy known as electrum. Electrum wasn't always desirable for trade. As coinage gained popularity, a way to standardize the purity of gold and silver was needed. The first technique of gold parting was invented: salt cementation. Salt cementation involves adding gold/silver alloy, some burnt clay or old brick dust, salt, and urine to moisten it. The mixture is sealed and then heated, but not hot enough to melt the gold – less than 1000°C.

In about 24 hours, the gold will be around 90% purity or greater. When heated in the presence of silica and alumina (found in the clay/brick dust), salt breaks down to form hydrochloric acid and chlorine.

The acidity in urine helps decomposition. The hydrochloric acid from this reaction interacts with the silver to create silver chloride, which separates from the gold. When that occurs, the reaction is volatile – which is why it's sealed. After removing the gold, one converts the silver chloride back into silver, giving two separate, purified samples of precious metals for coins. Scholars argue that the gold standard of Croesus was introduced in stages, designed to recall the circulating electrum staters. Once a sufficient number had been recalled, the new light stater appeared. Though the light stater was produced for a longer period than the heavy stater, the light stater is actually the rarer coin. This NGC Gem MS light stater sold in April 2018 for $180k. A magnificent Lydian “missing link” early Croesus stater was a top attraction at Heritage on Jan. 12 2026. The Prototype Lydian Croesus AV Stater (c. 561–546 BC) is a landmark, extremely rare heavy gold coin of 10.77gm from the Sardes mint, representing the world's first true bimetallic coinage. $440,000.

2000 yo granite sarcophagus in Alexandria

In 2018 archaeologists in Egypt opened a mysterious ancient black granite sarcophagus. The massive coffin was excavated in the city of Alexandria. 3 skeletons and sewage was found inside.

A layer of mortar between the lid and the body of the sarcophagus indicated that it has not been opened since it was closed more than 2,000 years ago. The sarcophagus was found buried 16.4 feet below the surface. A carved alabaster head, which may depict one of the tomb’s occupants, was also discovered. The Ministry of Antiquities said one of the skeletons bore an arrow wound, evidence the men might have been soldiers. Measuring nine feet long, the black granite coffin is the largest ever to have been discovered in Alexandria. It was speculated that it might have contained the remains of Alexander the Great, who legend rumored is buried there.

Three drawings, incised on three sheets of gold, were discovered in the sarcophagus. Researchers also learned more about the three skeletons. One came from a woman who was between 20 and 25 years old when she died, while the other two came from men who were in their 30s or 40s.

The enigmatic drawings show what may be the seed pod of an opium poppy within a shrine. Opium was popular at the time. The skull of one of the men has a hole. He may have undergone "trepanation," a medical procedure often used in ancient times.

Bulgarian Valley of Kings

The Valley of the Thracian Rulers (or Kings) in central Bulgaria, near Kazanlak, represents a major concentration of Thracian elite tombs from the 5th–3rd centuries BC.

A four-wheeled wooden chariot, its intricately carved bronze plating and fittings, plus the skeletal remains of two horses and a dog have been preserved in situ instead of being removed to a museum. Thracian chariots were often buried with up to eight horses and their elaborately decorated bridles. Thracians established a powerful kingdom in the fifth century B.C. The capital was thought to be Seutopolis, whose ancient ruins lie under a large artificial lake near Shipka, in an area dubbed 'the Bulgarian Valley of Kings' for its many rich tombs. It is believed that there are over 1500 funeral mounds in the region, with only 300 being researched so far.

The Kazanlak Tomb was found accidentally on 19 April 1944 by soldiers who were digging for entrenchment against aircraft. It dates to the first half of 3rd century BC.

The Svetitsa mound revealed a spectacular gold mask, which was laid on the face of the deceased person. It was made of a solid 673-g gold plate with individual features - thick hair, beard and mustache, the eyes half-closed. This is one of the earliest and richest tombs discovered in the Valley.

"To Seuthes," was written in one of the silver vessels and on a bronze helmet. It led some historians to suppose that the tomb belonged to King Seuthes III (ca. 330-300/295 BC). See ---- https://ancientbulgaria.bg/listings/valley-thracian-kings