For years I looked for an Early Persian Siglos, from the time of the Battle of Thermopylae, and the Greek War with Persia. Many of the coins available on the market are low grade, very worn and/ or very counter struck, they can be had for a better part of $100. Many of the nice examples command very nice prices for siglos of any era, and any type. I finally pulled the trigger after months of stalking this piece and watching the price drop and drop. I was finally able to work out a reasonable deal with a very "offical" firm in Beverley Hills. The coin came with a very nice COA signed and on very very nice thick textured stationary. Achaemenid Kings of Persia Time of Darios I to Xerxes I c. 485-450 BC. Time of the War with Greece AR Silver Siglos 17 mm x 5.51g Sardes Mint Persian Hero King in Kneeling -running stance right, holding spear and bow Reverse: Incuse punch, bankers mark. Ref: Carradice Type IIIa (pl. xi, 14); Carradice, " Two Achaemenid Hoards", in NumChron 1998, 136-7. Note: Near VF, Good Metal. The Coin portrays the king as the Lord of the Bow, one of the kings offical titles, preparing to throw a spear while running and shooting an enemy with an arrow. The coins are an early continuation of the first ancient coins struck by Croesus, made for circulation in the "Greek" world.
This is one of those times were a foreign word describes things more succinctly than an English can. The German's would describe what the king is doing on the obverse as "knielauf."
There are 4 poses of these. The first (I don't have) is rare and shows the king only from the waist up. Second shows him drawing the bow. Third has a spear. Last has a dagger. I have seen a couple of the first but they are always way out of my price bracket. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=662515 Also rare are fractions as small as 1/12 siglos pieces.
Wow top left is something else, great example,wow. These are great coins. Much heavier then they look. I really want ALL the poses now, thanks Doug.
I eventually want to own all of the different versions as well ... Sadly, I had a chance to win the "dagger version", but ended-up being outbid (yah I know => "me" ... outbid!!?)
As you bid consider looking for coins with full flans and centering that allows the important parts to be on flan. My drawing bow coin is as well centered as any I have seen and shows shoe detail most lack. My spear coin has lost its crown points. Dagger coins are hard to find with full dagger arm and full bow. We each must decide whether we pay extra for unworn coins or for coins that show the type well. http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/acmshow.html The dagger type I bought as recorded in my 'Show' page has the nicest crown I have seen and little else. That is why I later sold it (rather few people own coins I had once assigned collection numbers to but this coin lacking the dagger grated on me so it went away). I find this series very interesting.
here is the coin that "I DID NOT WIN" ...... *sniffle, sniffle* => ... as we were approaching the finish-line, a shot rang-out and I crumpled to the ground like a new-born fawn taking its first steps!! ..... when I eventually figured-out what had happened, the lovely coin was in another's hands!! ... ummm, do one of you now possess this beauty?
Steve, how could you! Note the detail on the face, knife, clothing, crown and quivver. The bow could be better but this was a nice coin.
I'm very sorry that I let everybody down (*sigh*) ... I will try harder in the future to blow even more cash!! :so-sad:
