What was the first coin to bear the date it was minted as part of its design?

zbeckabee

The first dated coin was issued in 78 B.C.E. by Alexander Jannaeus, king of Judea (Israel). http://www.coinoftheyear.com/ May 03 06, 3:11 PM

Arpeggionist

And what was the date used on his coin? May 03 06, 3:12 PM

zbeckabee

It was only in 1234 C.E in Denmark that coins were dated according to the current system. Before that dates were generally based on whichever reign or government was currently in power. Year one began when the ruler took office. May 03 06, 3:18 PM

Arpeggionist

The first dated coin then dates from long before Jannaeus. But you're referring to Christian counting of years. By the time of the Mishnah (and certainly by the time of the Talmud), Hebrews were already counting the years from what they supposed was the first year after the creation of the world. In Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua and 2 Kings you will find mentions of dates given in years since the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. The last of these is the date of the dedication of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, the year 480 by the book's count. But Solomon didn't mint that year on coins. May 03 06, 3:27 PM

zbeckabee

That will all have to be taken up with an expert in coins...providing he/she even knows the true answers. May 03 06, 3:47 PM

Arpeggionist

Well, I know a few experts here who would know (and possibly have access to) the earliest known dated coins. One of them, a Hasmonean coin specialist, lives only a ten minute walk from my humble abode. May 03 06, 4:26 PM

zbeckabee

Oh man...if you talk to one of them...I'd LOVE to hear what they have to say!!! Your answers really got me to thinking...please let me know what you find out!!! May 03 06, 4:32 PM

davejacobs

I've seen a lot of references to the dating of coins, but it seems to me they are describing the assigning of a date to its manufacture rather as one might talk about the dating of a statue or painting. It does not mean to say that the coin itself bears a number corresponding to the year of minting. I have seem in Encyc Britt an illustration of an Austrian coin dated 1486. Perhaps only a picture of a coin with an earier date would satisfy the questioner? May 03 06, 4:48 PM

zbeckabee

Good point! May 03 06, 5:14 PM

zbeckabee

Do you like this one? http://www.coinoftheyear.com/-31.html May 03 06, 5:34 PM

lanfranco

It would appear that the earliest coin with an Anno Domini date was minted in 1234. This site below, on medieval coinage (picture of the coin in question included), seems rather interesting. However, I ran into a site on coins from the "reign" of Carausius (a sort of spurious Roman emperor in Britain and Gaul in the late 3rd century CE). He seems to have issued many coins, and at least some are apparently dated by consulship. I'm not a numismatist, so I don't know, but if consulship dating was a custom, and it makes sense to me that it was, then there are probably even earlier Roman coins with such dates floating around. http://www.medievalcoinage.com/earlydated/1370s.htm May 03 06, 5:36 PM

lanfranco

That's not a date on the Mark Antony denarius, it's a reference to the 11th Legion. Nice coin, though. Here's the Carausius coinage site, for what it's worth: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/lateromancoinage/carausius/dated/dated.htm May 03 06, 5:42 PM

zbeckabee

Works for me! May 03 06, 6:01 PM

bloomsby

In England, anyway, it was standard practice to put a mint mark on all coins until the early 17th century. As this mark changed, usually at least every two years, it also gives an approximate indication of the year. However, it's not the same as a date. May 03 06, 8:22 PM

davejacobs

Thanks ianfranco for that site that references the Frey catalogue. It shows a picture of a Spanish 'obol' bearing the date MCCIIII, which is the Spanish Es-Safar date, 1204, corresponding to AD 1166. Definitely the best-so-far result! May 04 06, 3:12 AM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

I have a Canadian nickel, which I assume was minted in 1951. It has a picture of a factory and the dates 1751-1951. What event does the coin commemorate? The Romans minted coins with the image of the Empress on them. Has there ever been a British (including England, Scotland, Wales) coin representing a royal consort? Not counting bicentennial issues and mint mark changes, what US coin has been in circulation the longest without a change in design? In what year were the first New York City Subway tokens minted?

1 "First Date" Jitters I think that this episode is hilarious, so I thought I would test your knowledge of it. Send me comments if you like it. Enjoy! Buffy:First Date Tough 25 Q BuffyFan1630 Aug 27 03 813 plays 2 "That 70s Show"- "First Date" This is my favourite season 1 episode of "That 70s Show". See how much you remember from the episode where Eric and Donna go on their very first date! '70s Show' - Seasons/ Episodes Average 15 Q flowercandy May 23 04 2514 plays 3 The First Date From Hell This quiz is dedicated to all those girls and guys out there who failed on the first date. What went wrong? Take this quiz to make sure it doesn't happen to you again! Thematic 10Q Easy Easy 10 Q JuniorTheJaws Jul 15 03 4809 plays