The first empire known to use coins was the Lydian Empire, which existed in western Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) around the 7th century BCE. The Lydians, under King Alyattes and later his son Croesus, minted the first standardized gold and silver coins, which facilitated trade and economic transactions. This innovation spread to other cultures and empires, transforming the way commerce was conducted in the ancient world.
They didn’t use coins.
Cowry shells were the first known currency of China
During the Gupta Empire, people primarily used gold and silver coins as money, which were minted in various denominations and featured intricate designs. These coins, known as "drachmas" or "punch-marked coins," facilitated trade and commerce across the empire. Additionally, barter systems were still common, particularly in rural areas, where goods and services were exchanged directly without the use of currency.
As the Roman Empire declined, several factors contributed to the decrease in the use of coins. Economic instability, rampant inflation, and a devaluation of currency led to a loss of confidence in coins. Additionally, the empire faced increasing military pressures and invasions, disrupting trade and commerce, which favored barter systems over coinage. Lastly, the shift in focus toward local economies and self-sufficiency diminished the reliance on a standardized currency.
The Roman coins acted as the common currency throughout the empire, which made commercial exchanges in the various part of the empire easier. In a way, Roman money acted a bit like the Euro acting as a common currency for many European countries.
They didn’t use coins.
Coins
The Ancient Chinese were the first to use coins.
coins
The Roman Empire did use gold coins (Aureus)
Coins.
use of standardized metal coins
The Lydians
Cowry shells were the first known currency of China
No. The use of coins has been traced back as far as the Lydians about 700 BCE
first to use gold and silver coins
Lydians have invented coins, in which we still use today. In fact, they were the first to mint(make) coins.