Ancient Archaic Period - 400-366 BCE, Achaemenid Persian Empire AV Daric, NGC Choice AU in Fine Style
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SKU
6155519002
We at AUCM are pleased to present for consideration a golden relic from the ancient past: 400-366 BCE, Achaemenid Empire, AV Daric, graded NGC Choice AU in Fine Style. The Achaemenid Empire is also known as the First Persian Empire, which was founded by Cyrus the Great. The Persian Daric was the first gold coin, along with a similar silver siglos, that represented the first bimetallic monetary standard. It was around 510-500 BCE that the current image first appeared upon Persian gold coinage. At that time the Persian king replaced the lion and bull design. This piece would be a great addition to a collection of rare ancient numismatic art.
The obverse presents the hero-king with bow and spear. It was Darius I who introduced this design for gold coins, which came to be known as 'Darics,' from Old Persian Daruiyaka ("golden"). The reverse is incused. Such coins were minted in Sardis, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey, Maisa Province). Darics and other coins minted in Sardis only circulated in the Western regions of the Achaemenid Empire, for there was no mint in the East. According to ancient sources, the Lydians were the inventors of gold coinage. Gold mining was in the area of Mount Tmolus, and it was transported to Sardis via the Pactolus and Hermus rivers.
| Grading Service | NONE |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | NONE |
| Ancient Year Range | 5th-4th C. BC |
| Denom Type | N/A |
| Numeric Denomination | AV Daric |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Not Specified |
| Strike Type | N/A |
| Holder Variety | Strike 5/5; Surface 3/5. Struck in Fine Style - two (2) obverse surface scratches |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
