For many questions, I think that while it might seem that the reason why is unknowable, perhaps if we
had more information, we could figure it (or something additional) out. Or maybe we already have enough information, but not in the form that it will reveal itself.
In other words, why have the lion's heads in the punch? We don't know, but to me that leads to the questions, 1) are they somehow related to banker's marks (
countermarks)?, 2) what other things or critters are portrayed in the punch?
If you are looking for the reason for the lion's
head types in the punch, you might see what else (things or critters) is in the punches and if they make sense with the
types of cities in and around
Persia. Chances are if you look, you will get nothing, or nothing obvious, but if you don't look your chances are worse that you will find nothing. So, it is a question if you want to use up the time in doing so. I will be on the look out for neat sigloi, not necessarily to buy them, but to see if they can give more of a hint at what is going on with these weird, neat sigloi.
But maybe you have already done that, in any case
Thank you for bringing up something totally neat to our attention.