Ancient historians recorded legends about the invention of the first coins, and archaeologists have found some surprising ...

Gold is on a historic run, fueled by uncertainty and buying by central banks and individuals. How it fits in a portfolio.

The first gold coins of reliable weight and purity featured a lion and bull stamped on the face, and were minted at the order of King Croesus of Lydia, in modern-day Turkey, around 550 BC.

Not exactly a long lead time, but this was an emergency. Civilization’s money since King Croesus of Lydia (modern Turkey) ordered gold coins struck around 550 BC was suddenly no longer doing its job.

Made up of 348.5 grams of fine gold, it is one of the largest denominations of European gold coins ever minted.Also featured is an “exceedingly rare” set of five Tomans, minted in Tehran and ...