It is generally accepted that the first ancient coins were struck in Ephesus, Lydia, a part of Asia Minor around 700 B.C. It is also known that coins appeared in India sometime around the 6th century B.C. Since those times, coins have been a means of exchange to acquire goods or settle debts in most of the world. Ancient coins are generally classified as coins that were struck prior to medieval times. Those that were issued prior to medieval times include coinage from the Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, China, India, Persia and Greece, as well as other lesser civilizations. At Black Mountain Coins you will find examples of coins that were struck 2000 years ago for a very reasonable price.