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Message:: [QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 24580906, member: 110226"]Wonderful examples posted! These coins have an important historical context, that of the rivalry between the Achaemenid Empire and Athens and Greece in general.  The fifth century BC saw the conflict between Persian kings and Athens culminate in two invasions by Persia into Greece, both ending in defeat.  Then, during the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC) Persia was more than happy to provide funds to Sparta which helped turn the tide against Athens, ending in the fall of that city in 404 BC.  Here's my siglos, a fairly typical coin. Persia, AR siglos,  Darius I to Xerxes I, 485-420 BC. Carradice Type IIIb5.49 grams [ATTACH=full]1560250[/ATTACH] And for Athens: Athens, archaic owl, circa  480 BC.  Minted around the time of the second Persian invasion.17.5 grams [ATTACH=full]1560251[/ATTACH] Athens, tetradrachm circa 450 BC. An early standardized classical owl. [ATTACH=full]1560252[/ATTACH]  Athens, standardized classical tetradrachm , 440-404 BC.  From Roma E-Sales 68, lot 302.17.23 grams [ATTACH=full]1560255[/ATTACH] Athens, Plated Tetradrachm, circa 406-404 BC.Sear 2535 13.80 grams [ATTACH=full]1560253[/ATTACH] Sparta did not issue coins, however an ally, Syracuse did as did Corinth and other city states.  Syracuse, tetradrachm, Second Democracy, 466-405 BC.  From CNG eAuction 518, lot 31.Boehringer 670 (V338/R457); SNG ANS 22016.92 grams [ATTACH=full]1560256[/ATTACH] [/QUOTE]