Achaemenid currency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The coinage of the Achaemenid Persian empire was a continuation of the coins of Lydia. Coins were issued from 520 BCE-450 BCE to 330 BCE for the Daric and Siglos. And it seems that before then, a continuation of Lydian coinage under Persian rule is highly likely .
Contents |
[edit] Daric
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. It consisted of a Daric of 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.After the capture of Babylon by Alexander the Satrap Mazaios issued the double Daric of 16.65 grams in weight whose image was based on the Daric coin and bore his name until his death in 328 BCE. 1 Daric = 25 Attic Drachmae.
[edit] Siglos
Siglos is 5.40-5.60 grams each, but is based on the 0.5 Lydian Siglos of 10.73-10.92 grams for the full unit. Purity was at first issue 97-98% but by the middle 4th century was 94-95%. 1 Siglos = 7.5 Attic Obols
[edit] Archaeological finds
Daric has been found in Asia minor, Greece, Macedonia and Italy with the Siglos in hoards found only in Asia Minor and single coins with other greek coins from Ancien Egypt to Afghanistan. Making it an important issue for the region.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Zeno coins of Iran
- Daric Information
- Money weights and measures in Antiquity including Babbylonian
- Discussion on the Siglos
- Persin coins and Satraps Coins
[edit] Bibliography
As above. Retrieved on th 18 Februrary 2006.
