Persia. Achaemenid Empire. temp. Xerxes I to Darios II. Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes, c. 485-420 BC.
Persia. Achaemenid Empire. temp. Xerxes I to Darios II. Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes, c. 485-420 BC.
AR Siglos, 5.61g (15mm). Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear and bow / Incuse punch.
References: Carradice Type IIIb A/B (pl. XII); Meadows, Administration 322; BMC Arabia pl. XXV, 17; Sunrise 25.
Grade: Iridescent toning, light roughness, a few scratches. VF. (gk1575)
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The Achaemenid Dynasty began sometime in the 7th century BC with its founder Achaemenes. This Iranian based kingdom was a power house militarily and expanded their empire throughout the east and across to western Asia Minor. The coins from the Achaemenids typically show the great warrior king on the obverse. This coin was struck just before Alexander III, the Great, overtook the area almost 100 years later.