Archaeologica.org

if true.

In the tomb of Queen Sesheshet recently opened in Egypt, Zahi Hawass claims:

Dr Hawass stated that gold coins inscribed with heiroglyphs were found.

http://www.pyramidofman.com/blog/body-o ... w-pyramid/


Since the use of coins is usually attributed to Asia Minor in the 7th century BC the finding of "coins" from an Old Kingdom tomb would be quite surprising.

The whole concept of “money” as an intermediate step between direct trading is a huge social study.
I think the first coins were mostly ego trips by the local leader and were worth what ever they weighed in whatever metal they were made of.
Then, with stronger central governments, came the edit “They are worth what we say they are worth.”
And then, of course, came paper money.
I think the Chinese are given the credit for that hoax.

From Wiki:

All western histories of coins begin with their invention at some time slightly before or after 600 BC in Lydia. Since that time, coins have been the most universal embodiment of money. These first coins were made of electrum, a naturally occurring pale yellow mixture of gold and silver that was further alloyed with silver and copper.

If Zahi has found Egyptian Old Kingdom coins, I expect that it would generate a lot more attention.