ARCHAIC SILVER SIGLOS__After 450BC___DARIUS to ARTAXERXES___For Mercenary Armies

Description

8U130
FRASCATIUS ANCIENTS
A BEAUTIFUL SILVER SIGLOS OF LYDIA (ACHAEMENID EMPIRE) (FIRST PERSIAN EMPIRE) FROM AFTER 450 BC.
They minted their sigloi from 94% to 98% pure silver. So this siglos is a solid chunk of almost pure ancient silver.
THE SIZE IS 14.4 MM AND 5.41 GRAMS.
Sear 4682
OBVERSE – Bearded archer (The Great King) kneeling right, holding spear and bow
REVERSE – Oblong Punch
Although they kept large stores of silver and gold bullion on hand in their various capitals it was only struck as coinage for specific purposes. There was no constant output of coins for general circulation sponsored by the administration. Thus silver sigloi were probably issued to fund the huge mercenary armies employed by both Great Kings and local satraps alike. This siglos could have been used to finance the army of King Darius III in his quest to defeat Alexander the Great.
Sigloi may also have been used to pay for building projects and international intrigue. Sparta and the Peloponnesian League finally defeated the Athenian Empire in 404 BC partly thanks to the funds provided by the Lydian kings.
Many sigloi bear small countermarks, possibly the signets of money changers. A countermark usually attest that the coin was examined and certified, and sometimes tested/weighed for silver content. At times the countermarks were used to alter the coins nominal value or authorize it for circulation in a certain area. As these coins moved through ancient commerce, they frequently incurred multiple countermarks.
The Ancient Lydian Empire dominated the Region from 612-330 BC. They ruled an empire which consisted of Egypt, and parts of Asia Minor and India. Their capital was founded by King Darius the Great (522-486 BC).
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NOTE: Frascatius is a life member (LM #6864) of the American Numismatic Association (ANA). Frascatius fully complies with the ANA Member Code of Ethics.
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