Gold has been used to produce coins almost since the invention of the coin (originally due to the intrinsic value of gold). Since the 1950s, most gold coins have been intended either for sale to collectors or for sale to private tezavratyam (treasure stores in the form of gold coins and ingots) for use as ingots in the form of coins, the nominal value of which does not matter, and serve primarily as a way to invest in gold.

The first gold coin in the world was released by Lydians in 560 BC. True, it was not from pure gold, but from electrum — an alloy of gold and silver. Herodotus criticized the materialism of the Lydians, who were also the first to open retail stores. Worldwide, the use of gold coins began after the lands of the Lydians were seized by the Persians.