Why do Coins Have Dates on Them?

[Coins4Cheese]

Really, why?! Way back thousands of years ago, people didn't need dates on a coin to help them identify value, right? All it needed was a symol saying that it was worth an X amount of gold/rice/cattle/etc. When they started making coins, I think that collecting them was out of mind! You don't need a date to identify a cent or a half, right? All it really needs is One Cent, or Half Dollar.

 

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[Coins4Cheese]

Same thing for bills and notes.

 

[BuckleBoy]

"Progress" and "Development," both measured over time--and both hopelessly intertwined with the almighty dollar.

 

[extractor]

That way it gives something more to try to find

 

[LemonThrower]

well, as far back as the Romans governments debased the coins by minting them with increasingly less gold, silver, or copper. perhaps modern governments anticipated doing this in the futures and needed to be able to tell the old and new ones apart.

 

[jeff of pa]

in case they want to start over and declaire
everything before a certain date useless

 

[fmerg]

my gf told me it makes it "prettier" lol


...i vote because chuck norris was there at one time.

 

[davest]

to let you know when they were lost

 

[LemonThrower]

if they didn't have teh date, then everyone who found one would have a lucky day.

 

[goldguru]

in case they want to start over and declaire
everything before a certain date useless

as New ruler/king/queen took over conquered region..etc

 

[bocephus]

never really thought about it

 

[grimroofer]

that is a very good question im glad they do its more fun find them lol

 

[AU24K]

This is pure speculation but I think that in ancient times(Greek and Roman), sometimes Rulers served short periods of time and during their reign coins would be minted bearing the likeness of "Caesar du jour."
If that ruler was an imbecile or worse the coins would not have a great acceptance after the reign was over. The majority of those coins were most likely melted down and restruck with the image of the "newest come lately" Emperor.
Perhaps one ruled for a long time, say 5 years. During the beginning of their rule they were kind and benevolent. Then the power thing twisted their brain and they became cruel. Well, the earlier coins of that reign were more popular than the later ones of the twisted ruler. How to distinguish the two types of coins?
Viola! Dates!

My WAG

Scott