Hi I have one Daric and am trying to better identify its period of issue. It seems like the only publication that may do this (open to other ideas please) is "Carradice. I. Coinage and Administration in the Athenian and Persian Empires. British Archaeological Reports 343. Oxford. 1987. The Ninth Oxford Symposium on Coinage and Monetary History, BAR 343, Oxford, 1987, pp. 73-95." From internet searches the coin would appear to be Type III that covers (via http://www.coinproject.com/search_e...®ion=PERSIA&city=Achaemenid-Empire&type=12): Darius I, 521-486 BC Xerxes, 486-465 BC Artaxerxes I, 465-425 BC Darius II, 424-405 BC Artaxerxes II, 405-359 BC Cyrus, 401 BC Artaxerxes III, 359-338 BC I should like place it in a subgroup (A/B or C?) which I presume narrows it down within the various rulers. Can anyone help please?
It looks like it is a type 3b Dated to 480-420 BC I think the dating is the same as the siglos? (for the designs) Here a good link for them https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=siglos
I captured one from CNG Numismatic in a recent auction. I trust their attributions as they are a very reputable organization. This is how the attributed mine - straight from their listing: PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Darios I to Xerxes II. Circa 485-420 BC. AV Daric (14mm, 8.30 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes mint. Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left / Incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb, Group A/B (pl. XIII, 27); Meadows, Administration 321; BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26. VF. Well centered and struck. A little over 1/4 TOZ of Ancient Gold is a very nice feeling in-hand!
Thanks to everyone who has replied - very helpful. I've also added the reverse it that may help further.
There are a huge number of variants of daric obverces images in details. So, it can be a real puzzle to feel a dating correctly. My oppinion about OP coin - this is late Type III (450-375 BC).
Thanks Ivan, still not sure though! Looking at all the feedback quoted above the main differences appear (from gregarious's reference above to Siglos) Type IIIb (early). Xerxes I - Darius II, c. 485 - 420 BC. Drapery with naturalistic fold over the advanced left knee (assume this is Type IIIb Group A/B?) andType IIIb (late). Artaxerxes I - Artaxerxes II, c. 450 - 375 BC. c. 5.55 - 5.60 g. Stylistic drapery with broad semi-circular sweep of folds from the left knee back to the right heel (assume this is Type IIIb Group C?) and examples in another reference found: http://www.coinproject.com/search_e...®ion=PERSIA&city=Achaemenid-Empire&type=12 Looking at the siglos and the coinproject link my coin appears more similar to the earlier Type IIIb Group A/B (????) as arnoldoe also mentions above. BUT appreciate any further comments from yourself or anyone on this as my little knowledge is based on what you've all kindly replied! Thanks.
@Deltoo it looks like we have a similar or very close reverce punch in yours and mine examples of darics.
Hi Ivan Thanks for the response. I'd agree that they're very similar- what dates have been given to yours? I'm keen to pin mine down to some dates! Regards Derek
Derek, my daric I have buy privately. I have give dates to yours and mine above: 450-375 BC. I think it is precisious enought. May be our darics from that 3000 darics given by Cyrus Younger to his diviner as Xenophont write at his Anabasis They are the same period (Joking )