I recently got myself a budget quality Lydia Siglos of the Croesus type. I don’t know if it’s minted under Croesus or under the Persians. It’s difficult to attribute due to the wear and corrosion. My Siglos weighs 4.50 grams, which is slightly underweight. Of course my coin is heavily worn and corroded, which might explain the light weight. My main question is if it’s a Croesus or Persian issued coin?
Why you say that? One way to distinguish a Siglos of Croesus from one of Cyrus is by evaluating the engraving style of the dies. From what I’ve read, the Siglos minted under Croesus are of finer style than those minted after the Persian conquest. Considering how worn & corroded my coin is, it’s difficult to judge the coin based on style. Is there any other method other than style to distinguish the lion/bull Siglos of Croesus from the imitations made under Persian authority?
Remaining siluet is enought to speak about. True persians are crude in style and proportions - very big lion head, small bull. Also later coins in most are at flattened flans. So, yours is Croesus time.
