Numismatic historians agree that the Lydian coin was the first officially issued coin and served as a model for nearly all subsequent coinage everywhere. Unlike the method used for bartering, the coins were first issued by a central authority or government and coinage was made of metal from this period onwards. When they were made of a precious metal such as gold, the coins had their intrinsic value. Coins are also an amazing discovery because they are difficult to counterfeit, and have great value, whether in their essence or by decree issued by the government.