The first civilization to use coins is believed to be the Lydians, an ancient people who lived in what is now western Turkey around the 7th century BCE. The Lydians minted the first standardized coins made of electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver. These coins bore distinct designs and inscriptions, which facilitated trade by establishing a reliable medium of exchange. The introduction of coins revolutionized economic systems by simplifying transactions and promoting commerce, ultimately influencing the development of currency in civilizations worldwide.