561-546 BC Croesus Gold 1/3 Stater NGC Ch MS 5/5 5/5 One of Finest Known
561–546 BC Kingdom of Lydia Gold Third Stater
King Croesus – “Light Series
NGC Choice Mint State • Strike 5/5 • Surface 5/5
One of the Finest Known Examples of One of the World’s First Pure Gold Coins
Some coins are rare.
Some coins changed history.
This extraordinary Gold Third Stater of King Croesus did both.
Struck over 2,550 years ago in the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, this remarkable coin represents one of the earliest pure gold coinages ever produced. Before Croesus, most gold coinage consisted of naturally occurring electrum—an unpredictable alloy of gold and silver. King Croesus revolutionized commerce by introducing a standardized system of separate gold and silver coinage, forever transforming international trade and laying the foundation for virtually every monetary system that followed.
This breathtaking NGC Choice Mint State example boasts the coveted 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface ratings, placing it among the elite survivors from antiquity.
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A Denomination Reserved for the Elite
While full staters are highly desirable, the 1/3 Stater is an especially elusive denomination that seldom appears in elite condition.
Unlike larger denominations intended for major commercial transactions, these fractional gold issues circulated in much smaller numbers and experienced centuries of attrition through commerce, melting, burial, and loss.
Finding a Choice Mint State example with fully defined devices, exceptional luster, and pristine surfaces is extraordinarily difficult.
Collectors assembling world-class cabinets of the first gold coinage often spend years searching for an example of this caliber.
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The Birth of Pure Gold Coinage
Long before Alexander the Great…
Long before Julius Caesar…
Long before the Roman Empire…
King Croesus established history’s first successful bimetallic monetary system by striking standardized gold and silver coinage at Sardis, the capital of Lydia.
His innovation provided merchants with confidence in consistent weight and purity, helping fuel commerce throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Near East.
Nearly every gold coin issued over the next 2,500 years traces its heritage back to this revolutionary monetary breakthrough.
Owning a Croesus gold coin is owning the very beginning of modern money.
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Historic Design
Obverse:
The legendary confronting lion and bull, symbols of royal authority, divine protection, strength, prosperity, and the balance of earthly power.
Reverse:
The classic double incuse punch—simple in appearance yet one of the most historically important reverse designs ever employed on coinage.
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Certification
* Kingdom of Lydia
* King Croesus (561–546 BC)
* Gold Third Stater (2.67 grams)
* Light Series
* NGC Choice Mint State
* Strike: 5/5
* Surface: 5/5
* Among the Finest Known Survivors
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Investment Quality
Museum-quality examples of Croesus gold continue to attract advanced collectors, institutional buyers, and investors seeking historically significant tangible assets.
Unlike modern bullion, this coin possesses:
* One of the world’s earliest pure gold compositions
* Extraordinary historical importance
* Exceptional state of preservation
* Elite third-party certification
* Global collector demand
* True museum-caliber rarity
This is not simply ancient gold—it is the foundation upon which the world’s monetary history was built.
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Price
Buy It Now: $47,950.88
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Why Buy From Capstone Acquisitions?
Capstone Acquisitions has specialized in exceptional rare coins and precious metals for over two decades and is headquartered in Austin, Texas, serving collectors worldwide.
Our expertise spans many of the greatest numismatic treasures ever struck—from the world’s first gold coinage to Greek, Roman, medieval, and classic United States rarities.
As members of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) and the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG)—two of the most prestigious and selective organizations in the rare coin industry—you can purchase with confidence, knowing every coin is represented with integrity, expertise, and the highest professional standards.
Capstone Acquisitions
“Where History Meets Investment.”