Naturally alloyed and occurring Gold and Silver is called Electrum -SFF-
The Greeks were luckiest and owned the vast majority of Electrum. Today it is very difficult and rare to find true larger pieces of naturally occuring electrum. Electrum coins were typically North of 55% gold and the rest silver with traces of copper and other more common metals. The specific color of the gold coins was used in order to judge a certain coins approximate gold content - The sunnier the more gold, the whiter the less gold - Think of a florida orange or San Diego lemon
-SFF- Silver Fun Fact - follow me for these daily!
The coin shown is named " Lampsacus"
MYSIA. LAMPSACUS (LAMPSAKOS). Ca. 500-450 BC
Electrum EL stater, 15.30 g., 19 mm
Obv: Pegasus forepart left, within a grapevine
Rev: Quadripartite incuse square
Photo/coin source: http://vilmarnumismatics.com
It's the best of both worlds!
Interesting! Resteemed.
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nice history lesson!
Very cool. Wasn't aware of this history about the Greek coins or Electrum as a naturally occuring phenomenon.
Those sound pretty unique, I'm some impressed with some of the details on these ancient coins.