Achaemenid Empire – Silver Siglos (485-420 BC), Sardes
Carradice Type IIIb
• Frame : silver 925 hand crafted ancient style .
•Certificate of provenance and authenticity included. 
• Leather cord included 
This silver siglos, minted in Sardes between 485 and 420 BC, belongs to the era of Darius I to Xerxes II, one of the most significant periods of the Achaemenid Empire. As the dominant power of the ancient world, the Achaemenids controlled a vast territory stretching from the Indus Valley to the Mediterranean. Their coinage played a crucial role in facilitating trade, financing military campaigns, and consolidating imperial power.
Description
•Obverse: The Persian king is depicted in a distinctive kneeling-running stance, facing right. He holds a spear and a bow, with a quiver slung over his shoulder, symbolizing his dual role as a warrior and hunter—both vital aspects of Persian kingship. This image reinforces the might of the Great King, the divine ruler of a vast and diverse empire.
•Reverse: Features an incuse rectangular punch, a hallmark of Achaemenid coinage. Unlike Greek city-states, which used intricate reverse designs, Persian coins focused on the imperial figure, underscoring the centralized power of the monarchy.
Historical Context
The siglos (meaning “shekel” in ancient Greek) was the standard silver denomination of the Achaemenid monetary system. These coins were primarily used to pay the vast Persian army, including the elite Immortals, and facilitated trade across the empire’s extensive road networks, including the Royal Road that connected Sardes to Susa.
Sardes, the capital of Lydia, was a major minting center for Persian coinage. This region was historically significant as the birthplace of coinage under the Lydian King Croesus before falling under Persian control. Under Achaemenid rule, Sardes remained an economic powerhouse, producing vast quantities of sigloi and darics (gold coins).
This coin is a tangible piece of history, offering a glimpse into the economic and military might of the Persian Empire. Its standardized design reflects the empire’s administrative sophistication, while the portrayal of the king reinforces the central role of the monarch in one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world.