After the Persian Empire was overthrown by Alexander the Great, Persian coin designs were adopted by Greek kings in the region of Babylon. This gold daric dates to circa 331 to 311 B.C. Images courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group. One of the great civilizations of the ancient world was that of the Achaemenid Persians.
What coins did the kings of Persia make?
Not long after their empire was founded, the kings of Persia began to strike coins in large quantities, making their principal issues — gold darics and silver sigloi — among the most familiar coins of antiquity. The origins of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire are shrouded in mystery.
What is an example of Persian coinage?
A classic example of Persian coinage, a silver siglos of the 5th Century B.C., is shown above. It features the most common design elements of the empire's coinage: The obverse shows a crowned Persian hero or king running while holding a spear, and a bow and the reverse has a simple rectangular incuse punch.
