Ancient Archaic Period - 500-400 BCE Achaemenid Persian Empire AV Daric, NGC AU★

500-400 BCE Achaemenid Persian Empire AV Daric, NGC AU★. Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. 8.31 gr. This coin is a Persian Daric, a gold coin which, along with the silver Siglos, represents the bimetallic coinage of its time. Cyrus the Great pioneered coins in the Persian Empire after 546 BC. It was Darius I (521-486 BC) who introduced a thick gold coin that equaled the value of 20 silver coins. The Daric displays an image of a Persian king holding a bow in his left hand and a spear in his right. He appears to be wearing a crown atop his head. Historically, the gold employed for striking these coins had a purity of 95.83 percent. This piece has great eye appeal and blazing luster. It would be the perfect addition to a collection of ancient gold coinage.

Darius I in relief from the Central Relief of the Northern Stairs of the Apadanda, Persepolis.