Quote Originally Posted by Kraxis
Prior to this age both Halicarnassus and Gordion were major tradinghubs. You know Kroisus and Midas, well they were just the last in a long line of rulers of those areas (though Midas' father Gordias started his line, there were others before him).
...weren't these the kings who intriduced minted currency, or at least their close successors ? From some of the dates I recall seeing the idea wasn't too old - only a century or so, max - around the time of the two rulers you named. And I'm under the impression the introduction of minted coinage as opposed to just precious metals was a major step, although probably not as great as the invention of banking in the late Middle Ages.

I think it could be very possible coinage changed the impact of trade sufficiently to have had an effect.