Nicely preserved hekte, struck from an electron, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver.
The ancient Greeks also called them "white gold".
Greece, Phocaea, Electron Hekte 387-326 BC
Obverse: head of Athena facing left
Reverse: incusum square
Gold, diameter 10 mm, weight 2.57 g
Earliest known electron coins, Lydian and East Greek coins beneath the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. They are now dated to the last quarter of the 7th century BC (625–600 BC). The electron was much better for minting coins than gold, decisions because it was harder and more durable, but also because the refining techniques were not very important. The electron is exposed to gold and silver, but sometimes traces of platinum, copper, and other metals can be found in it. An analysis of the hardware of the electron in ancient Greek coins from around 600 BC shows that the gold content of Phocaya skin coins is around 55.5%. In the early classical period, the gold content of the electron ranged from 46% in Phokai to 43% in Mytilene. The earlier coins of these titles, dated 326 BC, later portfolio content 40% to 41%. During the Hellenistic period, the Carthaginians issued electron coins with declining gold content.
