In later coinage from these areas, dating to 326 BC, the gold content averaged 40% to 41%. In the early classical period, the gold content of electrum ranged from 46% in Phokaia to 43% in Mytilene. Analysis of the composition of electrum in ancient Greek coinage dating from about 600 BC shows that the gold content was about 55.5% in the coinage issued by Phocaea.
The name is mostly applied informally to compositions between about 20–80% gold and 20–80% silver atoms, but these are strictly called gold or silver depending on the dominant element. The modern use of the term white gold usually concerns gold alloyed with any one or a combination of nickel, silver, platinum and palladium to produce a silver-colored gold.Įlectrum consists primarily of gold and silver but is sometimes found with traces of platinum, copper, and other metals. Electrum was often referred to as " white gold" in ancient times, but could be more accurately described as "pale gold", as it is usually pale yellow or yellowish-white in color. It is from amber’s electrostatic properties that the modern English words "electron" and "electricity" are derived. The same word was also used for the substance amber, likely because of the pale yellow color of certain varieties. The name "electrum" is the Latinized form of the Greek word ἤλεκτρον ( ḗlektron), mentioned in the Odyssey referring to a metallic substance consisting of gold alloyed with silver. For several decades, the medals awarded with the Nobel Prize have been made of gold-plated green gold. The first metal coins ever made were of electrum and date back to the end of the 7th century or the beginning of the 6th century BC. It was also used in the making of ancient drinking vessels. (See also debasement).Įlectrum was used as early as the third millennium BC in Old Kingdom of Egypt, sometimes as an exterior coating to the pyramidions atop ancient Egyptian pyramids and obelisks. This suggests that one reason for the invention of coinage in that area was to increase the profits from seigniorage by issuing currency with a lower gold content than the commonly circulating metal.
The gold content of naturally occurring electrum in modern Western Anatolia ranges from 70% to 90%, in contrast to the 45–55% of gold in electrum used in ancient Lydian coinage of the same geographical area. It has been produced artificially, and is also known as " green gold". Its color ranges from pale to bright yellow, depending on the proportions of gold and silver. The ancient Greeks called it "gold" or "white gold", as opposed to "refined gold". 625–600 BC ( Louvre)Įlectrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals. Brooch with a griffin protome, from the necropolis of Kameiros, Rhodes, c.
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