Here’s an interesting story about a collection of gold Persian coins, called darics, that were discovered in the ancient city of Notion, in Turkey. The collection dates back to the late 5th century BCE. Darics were produced in the Persian Empire from the late 6th century BCE until 330 BCE, when Alexander the Great defeated the Persians. Here’s a picture of the director of the Notion Archaeological Project, Christopher Ratté, recording details of the Temple of Athena at Notion. https://record.umich.edu/articles/u-m-team-finds-ancient-persian-gold-coins-in-western-turkey/
I've always wanted a gold daric. They are so expensive! Maybe a hoard discovery will bring the prices down? Here's my silver:
Interesting topic. Darics are difficult to date as they've been issued without major change under a number of emperors. A gold daric was the first ancient gold coin I ever bought. This was when starting my 1st menial job after finishing graduate school in chemical engineering. A friend of mine owned a Persian double-daric. He sold it ca. 1998 thru a minor coin dealer's auctions and received very little money for it. It was like a VF. I should've bought it, but then as now, only coins in exceptional condition, regardless of rarity, are eagerly sought.
So did Xenophon. Do what he did, enlist in the PMC Ten Thousand hired by some Achaemenid Iznogoud wanting to be Great King instead of the Great King.
Gold is always cool... ACHAEMENID EMPIRE PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. 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 kidarisand 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.
As do I. Even though mine may win the award for 'most worn', it is not quite so worn that the Carradice type cannot be discerned. It's Type III-b early. 13mm. 8.32 gr.
