Persian king Darius I, 521-485 BC

A so-called ‘Daric’. Gold. Diameter: 19 mm, 3 mm thick, weight: 8,3 gr.
The king is represented running, with a bow in the left and a lance in the right hand.

The coinage of the Achaemenid Empire was a continuation of the coins of Lydia. Coins were issued from 520 BCE-450 BCE to 330 BCE for the golden ‘Daric’ and silver ‘Siglos’. It seems that before then, a continuation of Lydian coinage under Persian rule was highly likely. Achaemenid coinage includes the official imperial issues (Darics and Sigloi), as well as coins issued by the Achaemenid governors (Satraps), such as those stationed in ancient Asia Minor.
Darius first introduced a reformed currency system at about 520-480 (the precise period is debatable). The rate of exchange was 1 Daric = 20 Siglos. The Daric was between 8.10-8.50 grams in weight and based on the Babylonian shekel of 8.33 grams. The purity was between 98-99% gold.
Daric coins have been found in Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia and Italy. The Siglos denomination have been found in hoards only in Asia Minor.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: Website of ‘anadolumedeniyetlerimuzesi.gov.tr’ – Annual report 1987 & Wikipedia.