GREEK. King Croesus? Gold: Excavations at Sardis and the History of Gold Refining. Hardcover, 272 pages. A beautifully researched and highly readable study that links the legendary wealth of Lydia to the real industrial and scientific story behind it, drawing on the Harvard Cornell Sardis Expedition?s discovery of a sixth-century B.C. gold refinery where alluvial gold from the Pactolus River was processed to produce refined gold and silver. The authors present a full archaeological report of the only known ancient refinery of its kind, paired with a detailed scientific reconstruction of the refining methods undertaken with British Museum study, then broaden the discussion into an authoritative survey of early assaying and refining techniques from across the ancient world. The result is both a key reference for the origins of coinage and an unusually strong introduction to ancient metallurgy, with Sardis providing rare, concrete evidence for technologies often known only through texts. Paper cover with tiny tears, original book cover is in great condition, overall VG from many years of use. From the personal reference library of David Allen, a well known numismatist, formed over more than 50 years and used as a long term reference for research, attribution, and catalogue work.

Estimate: AUD 100