Images

Alexander conquered large areas of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The coin types produced during his lifetime were still used after his death in 323 BCE. These had the same imagery and weight standard, with local symbols to distinguish the...

This coin depicts Vadfradad I, king of Persis (Fars) in Southern Iran, who can be identified on both sides of the coin by his special headgear. On the back (lower image), a figure holds up a royal headband (diadem) as a symbol of kingship...

The bronze bell at the Buddhist Sangwonsa temple in Pyeongchang. The bronze-cast bell dates to 725 CE and is the oldest surviving such bell from ancient Korea.

A detail of the dragon suspension of the bronze bell at the Sangwonsa temple in Pyeongchang. The bronze-cast bell dates to 725 and is the oldest surviving such bell from ancient Korea.

A painting of the royal palace at Songdo (Kaesong). Goryeo period (918-1392 CE), Korea.

An illuminated text of the Buddhist Lotus sutra. Goryeo period (918-1392 CE). Gwangdeoksa temple in Chenan, Korea.

In early Anglo-Saxon England, the highest status men were buried with unique and luxurious items, like this gold finger-ring set with an engraved Roman gem (intaglio). The gem itself dates back to around the 1st century CE while the ring...

Some Greek cities used images for their names, so "readers" did not have to be literate. In Rhodes, a rose (rhodon) was used. Silver tetradrachm coin, circa 400-380 BCE. From Rhodes, Greece. (The British Museum, London).

During the Warring States period, some States issued round coins with a round or squared hole in the middle. The inscription usually indicates the weight or value. 6. Coin with weight in jin, Wei State. 7. Coin with value in huo, Qi State...

When Qin Shihuang (the First Emperor) unified the Warring States in 221 BCE, he standardized the coinage. He made the banliang (half-ounce) coin of the Qin State standard throughout the Empire, and declared all other coins obsolete. The round...