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Image search results - "Artaxerxes"

1ce Severus Alexander222-235

Denarius

Laureate draped bust, right, IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG
Sev. Alex in armor, P M TR P III COS P P

RIC 74

Herodian recorded: [The soldiers] were more favorably disposed toward Alexander, for they expected great things of a lad so properly and modestly reared. They kept continual watch upon the youth when they saw that Elagabalus was plotting against him. His mother Mamaea did not allow her son to touch any food or drink sent by the emperor, nor did Alexander use the cupbearers or cooks employed in the palace or those who happened to be in their mutual service; only those chosen by his mother, those who seemed most trustworthy, were allowed to handle Alexander's food.

Mamaea secretly distributed money to the praetorians to win their good will for her son; it was to gold that the praetorians were particularly devoted. . . . . Maesa, the grandmother of them both, foiled all his schemes; she was astute in every way and had spent much of her life in the imperial palace. As the sister of Severus' wife Julia, Maesa had always lived with the empress at the court. . . .

When Alexander received the empire, the appearance and the title of emperor were allowed him, but the management and control of imperial affairs were in the hands of his women, and they undertook a more moderate and more equitable administration. . . . At any rate, he entered the fourteenth year of his reign without bloodshed, and no one could say that the emperor had been responsible for anyone's murder. Even though men were convicted of serious crimes, he nevertheless granted them pardons to avoid putting them to death, and not readily did any emperor of our time, after the reign of Marcus, act in this way or display so much concern for human life.

In the fourteenth year, however, unexpected dispatches from the governors of Syria and Mesopotamia revealed that Artaxerxes, the Persian king, had conquered the Parthians and seized their Eastern empire, killing Artabanus [IV], who was formerly called the Great King and wore the double diadem. Artaxerxes then subdued all the barbarians on his borders and forced them to pay tribute. He did not remain quiet, however, nor stay on his side of the Tigris River, but, after scaling its banks and crossing the borders of the Roman empire, he overran Mesopotamia and threatened Syria.

Traveling rapidly, he came to Antioch, after visiting the provinces and the garrison camps in Illyricum; from that region he collected a huge force of troops. While in Antioch he continued his preparations for the war, giving the soldiers military training under field conditions. . . . The Romans suffered a staggering disaster; it is not easy to recall another like it, one in which a great army was destroyed, an army inferior in strength and determination to none of the armies of old.

Now unexpected messages and dispatches upset Alexander and caused him even greater anxiety: the governors in Illyria reported that the Germans [the Alamans] had crossed the Rhine and the Danube rivers, were plundering the Roman empire. . . . Although he loathed the idea, Alexander glumly announced his departure for Illyria. . . . Alexander undertook to buy a truce rather than risk the hazards of war. . . .

The soldiers, however, were not pleased by his action, for the time was passing without profit to them, and Alexander was doing nothing courageous or energetic about the war; on the contrary, when it was essential that he march out and punish the Germans for their insults, he spent the time in chariot racing and luxurious living. . . . They plotted now to kill Alexander and proclaim Maximinus emperor and Augustus. . . . Alexander's troops deserted him for Maximinus, who was then proclaimed emperor by all. . . . Maximinus sent a tribune and several centurions to kill Alexander and his mother, together with any of his followers who opposed them.Blindado

4.Darius II - Artaxerxes II - 420-375 BCAR Siglos
Obv. Beardless king or hero, kneeling right holding dagger in right and bow in left.
Rev. Incuse Oblong punch.
Size:15mm;5.49gms
Ref. Carradice type IV B (Middle); BMC Arabia vol.28,pg.167,No.144-152
Sear 4683
2 commentsBrian L

Achaemenid Empire - AR siglosSardis
times of Artaxerxes I and Dareios II
455-420? BC
hero or king holding bow and dagger right
incuse square
crescent countermark
Carradice type IV (early) A
5,15g 15mmJ. B.

Achaemenid Empire. Artaxerxes II-III. Siglos of Sardes. Asia Minor. Persia, Achaemenid Empire. c. 375‑340 BC. Artaxerxes II-III. AR Siglos (5.44 gm, 14mm) of Sardes. Running/kneeling king right, wearing kidaris & kandys, holding dagger and bow, quiver at shoulder. / "Map" oblong incuse punch. gVF. Carradice Type IV, Group C (pl. XIV, 46); GRPC Lydia S28; Klein 763; Meadows Administration 326; SNG Kayhan pt.1 #1031ff, pt.2 #1746ff; Sunrise 33-36; BMC Arabia 175-177 (pl.XXVII #19).Anaximander

Achaemenid Empire. Siglos of Lydia. Asia Minor. Persia, Achaemenid Empire. 450-420 BC. Artaxerxes I-Darius II. (5.35 gm, 9.9mm), AR Siglos, Sardis Running/kneeling beardless king right, wearing kidaris & kandys, holding bow & daggar, quiver at shoulder. To right, countermark: head of an eagle right. / Oblong incuse punch. gF. Bt. Centurian Coins 1999. ATEC 1983-1985; Babelon Traite pl.87 #18-19; Carradice 43-49, Type IVa, GRPC Lydia S28; Klein 763; SNG Kayhan #1031-1033, 1746-1748. cf Leu Numismatik Web Auction 15 #873 (similar c/m).Anaximander

Achaemenid KingdomAchaemenid Kingdom, Persia. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Circa 485-420 BC. AR Siglos (15mm, 5.53 g). Obv.: Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear and bow. Rev.: Incuse punch. Eye counterstamp on rim. Reference: Carradice Type IIIb C. Ex Ardatirion collection.dpaul7

Achaemenid Kingdom. Artaxerxes I to Artaxerxes IIAchaemenid Kingdom. Artaxerxes I to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 450-375 B.C. AR siglos (15.69 mm, 4.84 g). Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear and bow / Rectangular incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb; SNG Kayhan 1029. Fine, rough.ecoli

Achaemenid Kingdom: Artaxerxes II to Darius III, AR Siglos.West Asia Minor, Lydia 375-336 B.C. 5.47g - 14.8mm, Axis 9h.

Obv: Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance right, three annulets on breast of kandys, holding dagger and bow, quiver with arrows over shoulder. Back to back crescent ountermark on the left.

Rev: Irregular incuse punch mark.

Ref: Carradice type IV (late) C: Carradice plate XV, 46 ff; BMC Arabia p. 171, 172 ff, pl. XXVII, 18 - 19; BMC 42 Countermark.
Provenance: Chris Scarlioli Collection.

Christian Scarlioli

Achaemenid Kings of Persia, Artaxerxes I - Darius III AR Siglos 17mm 5.63g 450-330 BC.
O: Great King kneeling r. with Bow and Dagger. Three bankers marks.
R: Oblong punch.
SG4683, Head CoLP 27. Darkly toned. Nice heavy weight. _3690Antonivs Protti

Achaemenid Kings of Persia, Artaxerxes I - Darius III AR Siglos 450-330 BC. 16mm 4.40g
O: Great King kneeling r. with bow and spear, pellet behind.
R: Oblong punch with raised pattern within.
SG4682v(no pellet obv.).
There has been supposition that the raised areas on the reverse are actually a map of the Satrapal territories in Asia Minor. _6450Antonivs Protti

Achaemenid Kings of Persia, Artaxerxes II - Darius III, Silver Siglos c. 375 - 340 B.C.Achaemenid Kings of Persia, Artaxerxes II - Darius III, Silver Siglos c. 375 - 340 B.C. Sardis. 5.48 grams. Persian king running right with dagger and bow / Incuse punch. Carradice Type IV, VF.mjabrial

Artaxerxes (Ardashir) II - AR ObolPersis under Parthians
c. 50-1 BC.
bust left, wearing diadem and Persepolitan crown with stepped battlements
king standing left, holding sceptre; lit altar to left
Alram 577.
0,7g 10,5mmJ. B.

Artaxerxes I - Artaxerxes IICarradice Type IV A/B, Artaxerxes I - Artaxerxes II, c. 455 - 375 B.CMolinari

Artaxerxes II - Darius IIIPersian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Artaxerxes II - Darius III, c. 375 - 340 B.C., Silver siglos, 5.490 g, maximum diameter 15.1 mm, die axis 0, Carradice Type IV (late) C, 46 ff.; BMC Arabia 172 ff.; SNG Kayhan 1031; SGCV II 4683; Rosen 674; Klein 763; Carradice Price p. 77 and pl. 20, 387 ff.

Following Darius II came Artaxerxes II (called Mnemon), during whose reign Egypt revolted and relations with Greece deteriorated. His reign (dated as from 404 to 359 B.C.E.) was followed by that of his son Artaxerxes III (also called Ochus), who is credited with some 21 years of rule (358-338 B.C.E.) and is said to have been the most bloodthirsty of all the Persian rulers. His major feat was the reconquest of Egypt.
This was followed by a two-year rule for Arses and a five-year rule for Darius III (Codomannus), during whose reign Philip of Macedonia was murdered (336 B.C.E.) and was succeeded by his son Alexander. In 334 B.C.E. Alexander began his attack on the Persian Empire.

Siglos was the Greek transliteration of the Semitic denomination ""shekel"" which became a standard weight unit for silver in the Achaemenid Persian Empire after the conquest of Babylonia by Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C. Ironically, silver sigloi seem to have been struck primarily in the western part of the empire and the standard went on to influence several Greek civic and royal coinages in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. There is endless debate about whether the figure on the obverse represents the Persian Great King or an anonymous royal hero, but since the Greeks regularly referred to the parallel gold denomination as the ""daric"" it seems clear that at least some contemporaries considered it a depiction of the king. Of course, whether this is what the Persian authorities intended or an example of interpretatio Graeca must remain an open question.4 commentsNemonater

Artaxerxes II drachmSilver drachm issued by Artaxerxes II. Obverse shows Artaxerxes in profile facing left with decorated tunic, torque and crown. Geometric mark behind bust. Reverse shows a standing figure facing left holding a staff up to a fire altar. Aramaic text above the image reads "Araxsir, king, son [of] Darev, king." Issued 405/4–359/8 BCE. Received October 1, 2022. Purchased from FORVM.Adrian H

Carradice Type III AR 1/8th siglos - Artaxerxes II - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Artaxerxes II to Darios III. Ca. 375-336 B.C.
AR 1/8th siglos (10 mm, 0.68 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear and bow / Incuse punch. L.
Mildenberg, "Über das Münzwesen im Reich der Achämeniden, AMI 26 (1993), 19 = Hess-Leu 45, 386
(same rev. die); cf. Carradice type IIIb (late); Winzer -; Klein -; Traité -; BMC -. VF, toned, porosity. An
extremely rare fraction - possibly the second known example. Caffaro

Carradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 420-375 B.C.
AR Siglos (12mm, 5.60 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding spear in his right and bow in his left bow / Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IIIb; S 4682. Struck on a good metal. Very large die. Choice pleasing VF.

Provenance: Pars coinsCaffaro

Carradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C.
AR Siglos (15.2mm, 5.449 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding spear in his right and bow in his left bow / Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IIIb; S 4682. aVF.

Provenance: Forvm Ancient CoinsCaffaro

Carradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 420-375 B.C.
AR Siglos (16mm, 5.56 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding spear in his right and bow in his left bow / Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IIIb; S 4682. Struck on a good metal. Very large die. Choice pleasing VF.

Provenance: Ephesus CoinsCaffaro

Carradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius IIICarradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius III
PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. Time of Artaxerxes I
- Darius III, c. 420-375 B.C.AR Siglos (12mm, 5.60 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right,
holding spear in his right and bow in his left bow
/ Incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb; S 4682. Coin #69

cars100

Carradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius IIICarradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius III
PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. Time of Artaxerxes I
- Darius III, c. 420-375 B.C. AR Siglos (12mm, 5.60 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right,
holding spear in his right and bow in his left bow
/ Incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIb; S 4682. Struck
on a good metal. Choice pleasing Coin #70
cars100

Carradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid EmpireCarradice Type III AR Siglos - Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 420-375 B.C.
AR Siglos (12mm, 5.60 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding spear in his right and bow in his left bow / Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IIIb; S 4682. Struck on a good metal. Very large die.cars100

Carradice Type IV AR Siglos - Time Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C.
AR Siglos (16.7mm, 5.505 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger in his right and bow in his left bow / Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IV; S 4683. gVF, toned.

Provenance: Forvm Ancient CoinsCaffaro

Carradice Type IV AR Siglos - Time Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C.
AR Siglos (15.5mm, 5.54 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger in his right and bow in his left bow / Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IV; S 4683v. VF.

Provenance: Zuzim JudeaCaffaro

Carradice Type IV AR Siglos - Time Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Carradice Type IV AR Siglos - Time Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPERSIA, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C.
AR Siglos (16.7mm, 5.505 g).
Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger in his right and bow in his left bow / Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IV; S 4683 cars100

Cilicia, Tarsos, Syennesis III, ca. 425-400 BC, AR Stater Syennesis on horseback right, wearing Persian headdress and cloak.
Nude hoplite kneeling left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, holding spear and shield.

SNG Paris-226, SNG Levante-61.

(20 mm, 8.3 g, 1h).
Harlan J. Berk 181, November 2012, 393.

The depiction of the hoplite in a defensive posture on the reverse of this coin is most evocative of its time, notwithstanding the miserable corroded state of the coin itself, which is a type of some rarity. The initial reaction to the typology of this coin might be one of surprise at the apparently incongruous pairing of the image of a Persian dynast on horseback on the obverse with that of a Greek hoplite on the reverse. The explanation is to be found in the written historical record. The coin dates to the period of Xenophon's anabasis. Xenophon refers to the role of Syennesis (III) and his wife Epyaxa in the revolt of Cyrus the Younger, in whose employ as a mercenary Xenophon found himself. In view of the historical record left by Xenophon, the pairing of the motifs of a Persian dynast, or tributary king, on one side of this coin with a Greek hoplite on the other now seems particularly poignant, rather than incongruous. During the fifth and fourth centuries BC, the Persian dynasts routinely employed Greek hoplite mercenaries in their armies, so that the reverse typology may simply be a reflection of this reality on coinage destined perhaps for mercenary pay.

All the hereditary kings of Cilicia were termed Syennesis, a royal title more than an actual name. As described in Xenophon’s Anabasis, Syennesis (III) under the influence of his wife and queen, Epyaxa, supported the unsuccessful revolt of Cyrus the Younger against his brother Artaxerxes II in 401 BC. As much as anything this action appears to have been motivated by the desire to prevent Cryrus’ army pillaging and looting during its passage through Cilicia. Syennesis’ support included a body of troops commanded by one of his sons. However, he sent another son, accompanied by a report on Cyrus plans and army to Artaxerxes, so that whatever the outcome he might be aligned with the winning side. Syennesis' actions, however, did little to save Cilicia's autonomy. After 400 BC it became an ordinary satrapy of the Persian Empire, rather than an independent tributary or vassal state, and the role of the hereditary king of Cilicia ceased, replaced by a satrap who was appointed by the Persian king, most frequently a relative of the latter.
n.igma

Cilicia, Tarsos. Tarkumuwa (Datames), Satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia. (Circa 378-372 BC)AR Stater

23 mm, 10.28 g

Obverse: Diademed female head facing slightly to left, wearing pendant earrings and necklace.

Reverse: 𐡕𐡓𐡃𐡌𐡅 ('trkmw' in Aramaic) Bearded head of Ares (?) to left, wearing crested Attic helmet.

Casabonne type 1. SNG Levante 80. SNG Paris 276-277.

Datames (407-362 BC) served as a member of the Persian king's (Artaxerxes II - 405-359 BC) bodyguard before he became satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia upon his father's death in battle in 384 BC. After many successes, the Persian king placed him in charge of the second war against Egypt, along with Pharnabazos and Tithraustes, satrap of Caria.

To pay their armies for these expeditions, both satraps minted near-identical coins, distinguished only by their inscriptions. The reverse of these coins may show a representation of Ares, the Greek god of war. The facing head of an unidentifiable female deity (Aphrodite, the wife of Ares?) on the obverse is clearly influenced by the famous representations of the nymph Arethusa created by the artist Kimon for the coins of Syracuse. Both designs were probably meant to appeal to the thousands of Greek mercenaries that each Persian satrap hired for their Egyptian campaigns.

Datames was first, however, detained by a local revolt in Kataonia, a territory within his satrapy. This time, his success incurred the king's jealousy, and he was removed both from his command of the Egyptian expedition as well as the rule of his satrapy. Refusing to relinquish his authority, Datames himself revolted and became a virtually independent ruler. His initial success in this endeavor prompted the revolt of other satraps across the empire. Datames' success, however, was short-lived. Distrust among the satraps rendered them unable to cooperate, their rebellion disintegrated, and Datames himself was assassinated in 362 BC. 3 commentsNathan P

Darius II - Artaxerxes II, (420 - 375 B.C.)Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia
AR Siglos
O: Kneeling-running figure of the Great King right, bearded, crowned, dagger in right hand, bow in left hand, waist indicated, pellets on sleeves.
R: Oblong incuse.
Sardes (Sart, Turkey) mint
14mm
5.2g
Carradice Type IV (middle) B, pl. XIV, 43; SNG Kayhan 1033; SGCV II 46832 commentsMat

Datames, Satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia, StaterCILICIA, Tarsos. Datames, Satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia. 384-362 BC. AR Stater (21.3 x 25.6mm, 9.89 gm). Struck 378-372 BC.
O: Baaltars seated right, torso facing, holding grain ear and grape-bunch in left hand, eagle-tipped sceptre in right arm; 'BLTRZ' in Aramaic to left, thymiaterion to right; all within crenellated wall
R: Ana, nude, and Datames standing facing each other, both have their right arms raised; thymiaterion and 'TRDMW' (Datames) in Aramaic between them; all within square dotted border within linear border.
- SNG Levante 83; SNG France 292; BMC Lycaonia pg. 168, 35; SNG Copenhagen 300; SNG von Aulock 5943.

Datames, the son of Kamisares and a Scythian mother, served as a member of the Persian king's bodyguard before he became satrap of Cilicia and Cappadocia upon his father's death in 384 BC. Throughout his early career, he put down a revolt in Lydia, defeated the rebel governor Thyos in Paphlagonia, and briefly occupied the city of Sinope. Because of these successes, the Persian king placed him in charge of the second war against Egypt, along with Pharnabazos and Tithraustes, satrap of Caria.
When Datames' enemies in Artaxerxes' court accused him, perhaps falsely, of intending to revolt against the Great King, he then became, in fact, the first of the Satraps to revolt. His initial success in this endeavor prompted the revolt of other satraps across the empire. Datames' success, however, was short-lived. Distrust among the satraps disintegrated their rebellion and his own son's desertion to Artaxerxes was the beginning of the end. Datames himself was assassinated by Mithradates, the son of Ariobarzanes, satrap of Phrygia, in 362 BC.1 commentsNemonater

EB0082 Persian king or hero / Grand PianoPERSIA. Achaemenid Empire. Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. AR 1/2 Siglos ca. 420-375 BC.
Obverse: Persian king or hero right, in kneeling-running stance, holding dagger and bow, dotted baseline.
Reverse: Oblong incuse punch.
References: -.
Diameter: 16mm, Weight: 5.334g.1 commentsEB

Egypt, Athens Imitative, Silver tetradrachmObv:– Head of Athena right, droopy eye, crested helmet with olive leaves and bent-back palmette, wire necklace, round earring, hair in parallel curves.
Rev:– Î‘Î˜Î•, right, owl standing right, head facing, erect in posture, olive sprig and crescent left, all within incuse square;
Minted in Egypt from . B.C. 420 - 380.
Reference:– cf. SNG Cop 31 ff., SGCV I 2526 (Athens),

Ex- Forum Ancient Coins where they graded it VF. The metal did not fill the die completely on the obverse resulting in the rough flat high area near Athena's temple. A test cut on the reverse was filled with pitch in antiquity.

The silver is quite bright making it relatively tricky to photograph.

From the Harald Ulrik Sverdrup Collection. Ex CNG. From a small hoard of 5 Athenian and 4 Athenian imitative issues.

Comment provided by Forum -
"Athenian tetradrachms with this droopy eye and bent back palmette have been identified as Egyptian imitative issues because they are most frequently found in Egypt and rarely in Greece.

Early in his reign the Egyptian Pharaoh Hakor, who ruled from 393 to 380 B.C., revolted against his overlord, the Persian King Artaxerxes. In 390 B.C. Hakor joined a tripartite alliance with Athens and King Evagoras of Cyprus. Persian attacks on Egypt in 385 and 383 were repulsed by Egyptian soldiers and Greek mercenaries under the command of the Athenian general Chabrias. Perhaps these coins were struck to pay the general and his Greek mercenaries."

17.157g, 25.3mm, 270o3 commentsmaridvnvm

GREEK, Egypt, 420 - 380 BC, AR Tetradrachm (Athens owl imitative)Obv:– Head of Athena right, droopy eye, crested helmet with olive leaves and bent-back palmette, wire necklace, round earring, hair in parallel curves.
Rev:– AÎ˜E, right, owl standing right, head facing, erect in posture, olive sprig and crescent left, all within incuse square;
Minted in Egypt from . B.C. 420 - 380.
Reference:– cf. SNG Cop 31 ff., SGCV I 2526 (Athens),
ex-Forum. From the Harald Ulrik Sverdrup Collection. Ex CNG. From a small hoard of 5 Athenian and 4 Athenian imitative issues.

Athenian tetradrachms with this droopy eye and bent back palmette have been identified as Egyptian imitative issues because they are most frequently found in Egypt and rarely in Greece.

Early in his reign the Egyptian Pharaoh Hakor, who ruled from 393 to 380 B.C., revolted against his overlord, the Persian King Artaxerxes. In 390 B.C. Hakor joined a tripartite alliance with Athens and King Evagoras of Cyprus. Persian attacks on Egypt in 385 and 383 were repulsed by Egyptian soldiers and Greek mercenaries under the command of the Athenian general Chabrias. Perhaps these coins were struck to pay the general and his Greek mercenaries.

The metal did not fill the die completley on the obverse resulting in the rough flat high area near Athena's temple. A test cut on the reverse was filled with pitch in antiquity.

17.157g, 25.3mm, 270o2 commentsmaridvnvm

Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum, Antoninus Pius, unpublishedAntoninus Pius, AD 138-161
AE 34, 26.53g
struck under grammateus L. Dioskurides Gratos Metr.
obv. [T AI]LIOC KAICAR - ANTWNEINO[C]
Head, laureate, r.
rev. EPI DIOCKOVRID[OV] GR - MAG - NHTWN
Themistokles, nude to hips, std. l. on throne with lion's-feet, l. hand at parazonium hanging at his
l. side, with r. hand holding an oval shield inscribed by .EM/.AN/OC in three lines set on cippus;
re behind him a horse stg. r., head turned l.
cf. Schultz 100 (obv. only, same die), unpublished

This coin was very difficult to interprete. Because of the depiction of the male figure, nude, with parazonium,
very tall upper part of the body, the suggestion tends to Themistokles. There is another rare type of him
sacrificing before an altar, where he is depicted similarily. Themistokles is the famous heroe of Salamis who
after an ostrakismos had to flee from Athens. His former enemy the Persian king Artaxerxes I accommodated
him and made him satrap of Lampsakos and Magnesis ad Maeandrum due to his merits at Salamis.
Jochen

Iran, Naqsh-e-Rostam, Fars ProvinceThe tomb of Dareios I (522-486 BC)is the only one identified with certainty from the head of the relief. The others are believed to be those of Xerxes I (486-465 BC), Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC), and Dareios II (423-404 BC).Schatz

Kingdom of Lydia, Persian Rule: Artaxerxes I–Darius III (ca. 450-330 BCE) AR Siglos (Sear-4682)Obv: Bearded archer (the Great King) kneeling right, holding spear and bow
Rev: Oblong punch1 commentsQuant.Geek

Kingdom of Persis: Artaxerxes II (ca. 1st Century BCE) AR Hemidrachm (Sunrise-595; Klose & Müseler 4/12b; Alram 571; Tyler-Smith 42-6)Obv: Small bust of Artaxerxes II left, with short beard, wearing diadem with three ties, torque with three segments, and mural crown; no symbol behind
Rev: King standing left, holding scepter and sacrificing before altar to left

From The Sunrise CollectionQuant.Geek

Kingdom of Persis: Artaxerxes II (ca. 1st Century BCE) AR Hemidrachm (Sunrise-599; Klose & Müseler 4/12a; Alram-574; Tyler-Smith 68-9)Obv: Large bust of Artaxerxes II left, with short beard, wearing diadem with two ties, torque with three segments, and mural crown, symbol behind
Rev: King standing left, holding sceptre and sacrificing before altar to left

From The Sunrise CollectionQuant.Geek

Kingdom of Persis: Artaxerxes III (ca. 1st to 2nd Century CE) AR Hemidrachm (Sunrise-656; Klose & Müseler 5/8; Alram-630)Obv: Bust of Artaxerxes III left, wearing diadem, crescent (with star?) to right
Rev. Radiate bust of Mithra left, wearing diadem

From The Sunrise Collection
Quant.Geek

Kings of Persia, Xerxes I - Artaxerxes II, SiglosAchaemenid Empire.
Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II.
Ca. 420-375 BCE
AR Siglos (Sardes)
Obv.: Persian king, wearing radiate tiara, in running/kneeling stance to right, holding dagger in his right hand and bow in his left, quiver over his shoulder.
Rev.: Oblong incuse, bankers' marks
Ref.: BMC Arabia pl. XXVII, 10. Carradice Type IV/B, pl. XIV, 43.shanxi

Lampsakos, Mysia, c. 4th - 3rd Centuries B.C.Silver diobol, Baldwin Lampsakos, Group B, Type I, pl. VI, 6; SNG Ashmolean 660; SNG BnF 1195; SNG Cop 191; SNGvA 1295; BMC Mysia p. 83, 36 ff., VF, well centered on a tight flan, toned, 1.458g, 11.7mm, 315o, Lampsakos (Lapseki, Turkey) mint, c. 4th - 3rd Centuries B.C.; obverse Janiform female head, wearing taenia and disk earring; reverse LA-M-Y (clockwise, starting above), helmeted head of Athena right, in a shallow round incuse.

A very valuable example from FORVM. The Sam Mansourati Collection.

Lampsakos was founded by Greek colonists from Phocaea in the 6th century B.C. Soon afterward it became a main competitor of Miletus, controlling the trade roots in the Dardanelles. During the 6th and 5th centuries B.C., Lampsacus was successively dominated by Lydia, Persia, Athens, and Sparta; Artaxerxes I assigned it to Themistocles with the expectation that the city supply the Persian king with its famous wine. When Lampsacus joined the Delian League after the battle of Mycale in 479 B.C., it paid a tribute of twelve talents, a testimony to its wealth.Sam

Lydia, Persian Imperial Coinage- Artaxerxes I to Darius IIIAR Siglos
450-330 B.C.
5.50g
GCV-4682

Obverse:
Bearded archer (the Great King) kneeling right, holding spear and bow.

Reverse:
Oblong punch.

There are four bankers marks. There are two on the left, one at the bottom, the other on the right.Will J

Mazaios Obol, Artaxerxes III / Lion attacking bull CILICIA. Tarsos. Mazaios (Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC). Obol. 0.7 g., 12 mm.
O: Artaxerxes III (in the guise of Baaltars) seated right on throne with back terminating in head of swan, holding lotus flower and lotus-tipped sceptre.
R: Lion attacking bull right.
- Ziegler -; Casabonne Series 6; SNG BN 426-8 (Myriandros); SNG Levante 183 (Myriandros).

The appearance of Baaltars on this issue is significantly different from the relatively standard depiction of the deity on other coins of Tarsos. While the diety is typically shown nude to his waist, here the figure is fully clothed with attire that closely resembles that on the figure that appears on the royal Persian coinage struck at Sardes. More importanly, though, is the headdress on the figure. Baaltars typically wears a laurel wreath or no headdress, while this portrait shows the figure wearing an elaborate headdress. In a recent article, Frank Kovacs analysed the type, and argues that this figure is actually the Great King Araxeres III Ochos, in the guise of Baaltars, and the headdress is the combined crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, thus his appearance here is as pharaoh of Egypt (cf. F. Kovacs, "Two Persian Pharaonic Potraits" in JNG L [2000]; see also M. Thompson, in MN XII [1968], pp. 11–2, who notes the figure wearing a "high crown of Egyptian type"). This is plausible, as Araxerxes was the first pharaoh of the Thirty-First Dynasty of Egypt, and the date of his rule there, 343-338 BC, comports well with this issue under Mazaios.

O. Casabonne, while acknowledging that the figure here may represent a synthesis of Baaltars and the Great King, disagrees with the identification of the headdress as the Egyptian crown. Instead, he views the headdress as being a Phrigian style cap that is often depicted in contemporary art as being worn by warriors (cf. Casabonne, p. 121, fig. 8), but is here shown with the cheek guards in a raised position.

Nonetheless, it is doubless that the figure here is a synthesized portrait of Baaltars and the Persian Great King. The fractional silver of this issue, interestingly, may be most instructive, as the headdress on the figure is shown wearing a crown that is identical to that on the figure of the royal Achaemenid coinage and his robes have interlocking circles reminiscent of the darics of Carradice Type IV Late (cf. M. Thompson, op. cit. , p. 12).4 commentsNemonater

PARTHIA/PERSIA, Achaemenid, AR SiglosLydia, Anatolia, Artaxerxes II - Darius III, c. 375 - 340 B.C., Silver siglos, Carradice Type IV (late) C, 46 ff.; BMC Arabia 172 ff.; SNG Kayhan 1031; SGCV II 4683; Rosen 674; Klein 763; Carradice Price p. 77 and pl. 20, 387 ff.2 commentsNemonater

PARTHIA/PERSIA, Achaemenid, AR siglos, 404-330 B.C.Kingdom of the Achaemenid
Artaxerxes II (404-359) and Darius III. (336-330)
(D) Siglos (5.56 g), Sardis. Av. Great King with dagger and bow the knee running nr Rv:. Oblong Incusum. Carradice type IV C.

PARTHIA/PERSIA, Achaemenid, AR Siglos, 420-375 bcPersia, Achaemenid Empire AR Siglos. Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II, circa 420-375 BC.
Persian king kneeling right, holding spear and bow; quiver over shoulder / Incuse punch.
Carradice type IIIb C; BMC Arabia pl. XXV, 15.
5.54g, 15mm.

Period of Artaxerxes I-Darius III (375 - 336 BC.) - AR Siglos (5.46 g)Obv. Archer (the Great King) - kneeling right, holding dagger and bow, three annulets on chest.
Rev. Irregular punch.
16x12mm and 5.46 grams.
References: Carradice type IV A/B: SGCV II 4683; BMC Arabia p. 165, 125 ff.; SNG Kayhan 1033 ff., Rosen 674 ff. 1 commentsCanaan

PersiaAR Siglos
Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II
Sardes
c. 420-350 BC
O - Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys and with quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance to right, holding dagger and strung bow
R - Incuse punch
Carradice Type IVA; BMC Arabia 175-177; Klein 763; SNG Kayhan 1031; GRPC Lydia S28mauseus

PersiaAR 1/4 Siglos
Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II
Sardes
c. 420-350 BC
O - Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys and with quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance to right, holding dagger and bow
R - Incuse punch. GRPC Lydia S29; Klein 764; BMC Arabia p. 167, 143; Rosen 679; Sunrise 37mauseus

Persia, Achaemenid Empire Time of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II, c. 420-375 BC.
AR Siglos, 16mm, 5.4g.
Obv.: Persian king kneeling right, holding spear and bow; quiver over shoulder.
Rev.: Irregular rectangular incuse punch.
Reference: Carradice type IIIb C; BMC Arabia pl. XXV, 15 / 17-119-162John Anthony

Persia, Achaemenid Empire, Time of Darios I. to Artaxerxes II, (cc. 490-375 B.C.) AR-Siglos, Type IIIb., Persia, Achaemenid Empire, Time of Darios I. to Artaxerxes II, (cc. 490-375 B.C.) AR-Siglos, Type IIIb.,
avers: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance to right, holding spear and bow.
reverse: Incuse punch.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 12,5x16mm, weight: 5,20g, axes: h,
mint: Achaemenid Empire, Typ:III, date: cc. 485-420 B.C., ref: Carradice type IIIb, pl.XII, 16-19, (Countermarks on rev. No:14 and 34),
Q-0011 commentsquadrans

Persia, Achaemenid Empire, Time of Darios I. to Artaxerxes II, (cc. 490-375 B.C.) AR-Siglos, Type IIIb., Persia, Achaemenid Empire, Time of Darios I. to Artaxerxes II, (cc. 490-375 B.C.) AR-Siglos, Type IIIb.,
avers: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance to right, holding spear and bow, with some control countermarks.
reverse: Incuse punch, with some control countermarks.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 12,0x16,0mm, weight: 5,13g, axes: 0h,
mint: Achaemenid Empire, Typ:III, date: cc. 485-420 B.C., ref: Carradice type IIIb, pl.XII, 16-19, (Several Countermarks on avers and reverse),
Q-0011 commentsquadrans

Persia, Achaemenid Empire. Xerxes II - Artaxerxes II. (Circa 420-375 BC) AR Siglos

16 mm, 5.56 g

Sardes or subsidiary mint.

Obverse: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance to right, holding spear and bow.

Reverse: Incuse punch.

BMC Arabia pl. XXIV passim. Carradice Type IIIb Group C

Type III Group C siglos exhibit a stylistic drapery with a broad semi-circular sweep of folds from the left knee back to the right heel and a large formal figure.Nathan P

Persia. AR Siglos. Xerxes-Artaxerxes I, 485-424BC. Obv. Bearded King, running right, holding spear and bow
Rev. Incuse punch.
Sardis mint, possibly. 485-424BC.
Carradice type III. LordBest

Persian Achaemenid Siglos Type IVArtaxerxes I, Darius II or Artaxerxes II

King running right, holding dagger and bow, pellets on right arm. Cross shaped bankers stamp before

Incuse punch

5.42 grams.

c. 455 - 375 B.C

Carradice type IV a or b

Ex-Calgary Coin3 commentsJay GT4

Persian AR Siglos - Great KingAchaemenid Kings of Persia, Artaxerxes I - Darius III AR Siglos 15mm 5.34g 450-330 BC.
O: Great King kneeling r. with bow and spear. Two bankers marks.
R: Oblong punch with raised pattern within.
SG4682.
There has been supposition that the raised areas on the reverse are actually a map of the Satrapal territories in Asia Minor. Nice size and weight. _5600Antonivs Protti

Persian Empire, Artaxerxes I to Xerxes II 1/4 SiglosPERSIA. Achaemenid Empire. Time of Artaxerxes I to Xerxes II (Circa 455-420 BC). 1/4 Siglos. 8mm 1.32g.

O: Persian king in kneeling-running stance right, holding dagger and bow.
R: Incuse punch.

Carradice Type IV. Nemonater

Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Darius II - Artaxerxes II, c. 420 - 375 B.C.Silver siglos, (Carradice Type IV (middle) B; plate XIII, 35); weight 5.5g, max. diameter 14.14 mm, Sardeis mint, c. 420 - 350 B.C.; obverse kneeling-running figure of the Great King right, dagger in right, bow in left, bearded, crowned, waist indicated; reverse oblong incuse punch; lion head left within incuse, crescent moon banker's mark.
3 commentsSteve E

Persian Empire, Siglos (half-stater)Persian Empire, Artaxerxes I-Darius III, c. 450-330 B.C. Lydia. AR Siglos (half-stater). SGCV II 4683 or similar. 15.8 mm, 5.94 g. Obverse: Beardless archer, the Great King, kneeling right, dagger in right, bow in left. Obverse: Oblong punch. Ex Forvm.2 commentsLucas H

Persian Fouree Siglios Persian Empire, Artaxerxes I-Darius III, c. 450-330 B.C. Lydia. Fouree Siglos (half-stater). (4.51g, 15.1m). Obv: Beardless archer, the Great King, kneeling right, dagger in right, bow in left. Obv: Oblong punch. Compare Sear Greek 4682. Ex Warren Esty.

A very early example of a fouree coin. It appears forgers have been plying their trade almost as long as the cealtors.1 commentsLucas H

Persian siglos coin - 375-340 BCobv: King advancing right, bearing dagger and bow
rev: Oblong punch & bankers' marks (the mark showed the coin to be good silver [not fourree])
ref: SG4683, Carradice Type IV
5.38gms, 15mm
Artaxerxes II Memnon (404–359 BC) or Artaxerxes III Ochus (358–338 BC) - Kings of Achaemenian Dynasty (559 - 330 BC), Kingdom of Persia. berserker

Persian siglos with birdmarkPersian Empire, Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C., Lydia. Silver siglos (half-stater), SGCV II 4682-3, Fair, Sardes mint, 5.527g, 16.9mm, obverse beardless archer (the Great King) kneeling right; reverse, oblong punch; banker's marks, including one with a water bird. Minted in Lydia while under Persian control in the period prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. Ex FORVM Podiceps

Persian siglos. CountermarksPersian Empire, Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C., Lydia. Silver siglos (half-stater), SGCV II 4683, F, grainy, toned, punches, Sardes mint, 5.265g, 16.7mm, obverse beardless archer (the Great King) kneeling right, dagger in right, bow in left; reverse , oblong punch; banker's marks. Ex FORVM, photo credit FORVMPodiceps

Persian Silver Siglos of Artaxerxes (I or II)A Persian silver siglos of Artaxerxes (I or II) minted in Sardes, Lydia between 450-340 BC. 15 mm, 4.34 g.

Obverse: Bearded, crowned Great King running with dagger and bow

Reverse: Rough incuse punch

Attribution: Carradice type IV, SG 4683chuy1530

Persis - Artaxerxes II (Ardaxsir) (1st c. BCE)Metal/Size: AR17; Weight: 2.03 grams; Denomination: Hemidrachm; Mint: Persepolis; Date: 1st c. BCE-1st c. BCE; Obverse: Diademed with two ribbons and a mural crown with three towers facing left; beads surround. King wears short beard, hair lays in three rows and he wears a torque with three segments around neck. Symbol to king's right behind head. Reverse: Artaxerxes stands left, holding scepter and sacrificing before lite fire altar to left - blundered Aramaic inscription reads either something like {'r}th{str} MLK' {BRH d'ryw} MLK' or 'rah{str} MLK' BRH {d}'rm{w MLK'} meaning King Ardaxsir son of King Darev (Dareios). References: Alram #571-574; Tyler-Smith #68-9 or 62; Sunrise #599 or 600.museumguy

Persis, Vahbarz (Oborzos). Persis, Vahbarz (Oborzos). 295-250 BC. AR Drachm (4.17 gm), Period 1 of Persid kings. Diademed head r., with mustache, wearing kyrbasia (satrapal hat) r. / Fire altar of Ahura-Mazda, with stdg king to l. in pose of adoration, labarum to r. Aramaic legend (Oborze sátrap, master, of divine essence, son of Frada). VF. Rare. Obverse dies of Ardaxsir (Artaxerxes)were sometimes used by Vahbarz. Alram 531 var.; Kritt ESMS (1997) pl.34 #F (Artaxerxes I); Sear 6187; Sayles ACC VI pg 99; van't Haaff Type 521-524 #l (Ardaxsir I) or 531A (Vahbarz). cf CNG Triton VII #541. (Coin sold, 2021)Anaximander

Punch marks on Achaemenid Dynasty, Darius-Artaxerxes I AR siglos (420-375 BC).o/ The king in kneeling-running stance, holding a bow and dagger.
r/ Incuse punch.
Several small punch-marks stamped by private merchants or money-changers, most likely for currency in India
5,58g. 14mmAugustin Caron

SATRAPS OF CARIA, Pixodaros.Circa 341/0-336/5 BC. AR Didrachm (20mm, 6.94g, 12h). Pixodarus 11-47 (unlisted dies); Konuk, Identities 30; SNG Copenhagen 596-7. Obverse: Head of Apollo/Helios facing slightly right, wearing laurel wreath, drapery around neck. Reverse: Zeus Labraundos standing right. Î IÎžOÎ”APO[Y] to right field. Good VF, toned, minor die rust.

Ex-CNG.

The Pixodaros Affair
Pixodaros was a satrap of Caria in south-western Asia Minor, the youngest brother of Maussolos, and a member of the Hecatomnid Dynasty who remained loyal to the Persian King. When Persia was in turmoil after the eunuch Bagoas murdered Artaxerxes III, in the midst of the confusion, Pixodaros decided in 337 B.C. to offer his eldest daughter’s hand in marriage to Phillip II’s son Arridaios as a diplomatic move. The pact was accepted. According to Plutarch, Phillip II’s wife Olympias and a number of Alexander’s friends conspired to convince Alexander that Philip intended to marry Arridaios to Pixodaros’ daughter as a prelude to giving him the Macedonian throne. Alexander felt that his father had left him out and decided to act on his own. He sent his friend, the famous tragic actor Thessalos, to Caria to tell Pixodaros that not only was Arridaios an illegitimate son of the Macedonian king but feeble-minded as well. To make sure that the marriage did not go ahead, Alexander offered to marry Pixodaros’ daughter himself. Pixodaros, of course, could not have asked for a better deal. When Philip found it out he was enraged and went to Alexander’s quarters and scolded his son for wanting to marry the daughter of a man “who was no more than the slave of a barbarian king”. The whole affair concluded with Philip canceling the Macedonian-Carian alliance and ordering Thessalos to be brought back to Macedon in chains, and exiled four of Alexander’s friends Erygius, Harpalos, Nearchos, and Ptolemy. Pixodaros died some time before the landing of Alexander in Asia Minor in 334 BC. He was succeeded by his son-in-law Orontobates, a Persian, who married the princess who was once supposed to have married Arridaios.

2 commentsJason T

Satraps of Caria. Hekatomnos (Circa 392/1-377/6 BC)AR Tetradrachm

25 mm, 14.90 g

Obverse: Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding labrys over his right shoulder and long scepter in his left.

Reverse: EKATOMNÎ©, Lion at bay to right.

Hecatomnus 16. Karl 3. SNG von Aulock 2354.

Hecatomnos was the son of Hyssaldomus, the local ruler of Mylasa, a town in Caria (a region on the SW coast of Turkey). In 392 or 391, the Persian king Artaxerxes II appointed Hecatomnos as satrap of that part of the Achaemenid Empire and later awarded him the overlordship of the city of Miletus, the largest Greek settlement in Asia Minor. Hecatomnos seems to have been fascinated by Greek culture, and on one occasion sent his youngest son Pixodarus to Athens. Hecatomnos died in 377/376 and was succeeded by his son Maussolus (builder of the Mausoleum of Maussollos). His house was to rule Caria for another half century.

In many ways, not least in their coinage, the Hekatomnids were the forerunners of Hellenistic kings. They were unique in that period in issuing a regular and prolific dynastic coinage, which remained practically unchanged until the arrival of Alexander the Great. Other satraps struck coins, but none was hereditary and there was no continuity of coinage from one family member to another as was the case with the Hekatomnids.

The tetradrachm series above was a type that remained in use virtually unchanged throughout the coinage of the Hekatomnids. On the obverse is the figure of Zeus Labraundos, bearded and laureate, standing to the right, wearing a himation, and holding a spear pointing downward in one hand and a labrys (double-axe) in the other. This was a potent image, sacred to all Carians by virtue of the importance of the sanctuary of Labraunda (literally, “place of the sacred labrys”). This image of Zeus, with a very Greek looking appearance, remained virtually unchanged throughout the different issues that were minted over a period of about half a century – perhaps suggesting that the coin design was modelled after the actual statue of Zeus at Labraunda.

The reverse of the tetradrachm depicts a lion standing to the left, roaring, its back legs straight and front legs bent, almost parallel to the ground line. Comparable lion postures are found on some contemporary Cypriot issues and on the 5th century BC diobol coinage of Miletos (most likely the Hekatomnids’ inspiration). 2 commentsNathan P

Satraps of Caria. Hidrieus (Circa 351-344 BC)AR Tetradrachm

13.77 g

Obverse: Head of Apollo facing, turned slightly right, hair parted in center and swept to either side, drapery at neck

REverse: ΙΔΡΙΕΩΣ (IDRIEOS), Zeus Laubrandus advancing right, labrys in right hand over shoulder, spear in left; small E to right of feet.

SNG von Aulock 8046. SNG Lockett 2909.

As part of the Achaemenid Empire, Caria in the fourth century BC was under the rule of a family of semi-independent satraps known as the Hekatomnids after the dynasty's founder, Hekatomnos. Born in Mylasa, Hekatomnos was appointed satrap of Caria by the Persian king Artaxerxes II, ruler of the Achaemenid Empire . Interested in Hellenic culture (and possibly hedging his diplomatic bets), Hekatomnos sent his youngest son, Pixodaros, to Athens as part of a deputation; his older son, Maussolos, was bound by xenia, or guest friendship, with Agesilaus, king of Sparta. Hekatomnos died in 377/6 BC and was succeeded by Maussolos.

Hekatomnos second series of coinage has on the obverse the standing figure of the Carian Zeus of Labranda, carrying his distinctive double-ax, and on the reverse a lion with the name Hecatomnus above. Maussolos retained his father's type of the Carian Zeus but transferred it to the reverse of his coinage. For the obverse he chose a facing laureate head of Apollo. The immediate model for this type was the facing head of Helios on the Rhodian coinage; the choice was part of the policy of Hellenization in pursuit of which Maussolos built a new capital at Halicaranassus and commissioned for himself a monumental tomb created by leading Greek architects and sculptors. Known later as the Mausoleum, its size and elaborate decoration made it one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.The types of Maussolos' coinage were retained by his successors, who ruled in southwest Asia Minor until the arrival of Alexander - Hidrieus (351-344, the coin above), Pixodorus (340-334), and Rhoontopates (334-333).Nathan P

SIDON PHOENICIA SILVER 1/8 SHEKEL. 333BC. Slaying Lion SILVER COIN OF SIDON PHOENICIA FROM BEFORE 333 BC.
8.3 MM AND 0.45 GRAMS. Sear 5940v
OBVERSE – Bearded diety about to slay lion, within incuse square
REVERSE – Galley with zig-zag waves below

2059--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like most Phoenician cities, Sidon was built on a promontory facing an island, which sheltered its fleet from storms off the sea, and became a refuge during armed incursions from the interior. lt surpassed all other Phoenician cities in wealth, commercial initiative, and religious significance. At the height of the Persian Empire (550 - 330 BC) Sidon provided Persia, a great land power, with the ships and seamen it needed to fight the Egyptians and Greeks. This vital role gave Sidon and its kings a highly favored position during that period.
Glass manufacture, Sidon's most important enterprise, was conducted on such a vast scale that the very invention of glass has often been attributed to it. Exceedingly vigorous, too, was the production of purple dye for garments of royalty, as attested by Murex Hill, a huge mound of remains of the shellfish Murex trunculus from which the dye was obtained. Sidon was also famous in ancient times for its gardens and its twin-basin harbor.

Like other Phoenician capitals, Sidon suffered the depredations of a succession of conquerors. At the end of the Persian era, unable to resist the superior forces of the emperor Artaxerxes lll, the desperate Sidonians locked their gates and immolated themselves in their homes rather than submit to the invader. More than 40,000 died in the flames. Shortly after, in 333 BC, the decimated city was too weak to oppose the triumphal march down the coast of Alexander the Great, and sued for peace.

Antonivs Protti

Siglos Artaxerxes I - Darius IIIPersian Empire, Lydia, Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C. Silver siglos, SGCV II 4683, banker's marks, 5.153g, 14.75mm, c. 450 - 330 B.C.;
O: Kneeling-running figure of the Great King right, dagger in right, bow in left, bearded, crowned.
R: Oblong patterned punch with countermarks

A coin that circulated around the time of King Ahaseurus and Queen Esther. This denomination is 1/3 of a persian Shekel. This amount is probably what Nehemia was refering to when he asked for a 1/3 shekel Temple donation, i.e. 1/3 of a Persian shekel was exactly the same weight as 1/2 of a Judaean shekel (Machazit HaShekel) at the time.
Nemonater

Siglos Artaxerxes II to Artaxerxes III With KerykeionAchaemenid Empire. Time of Artaxerxes II to Artaxerxes III. Circa 375-340 BC. AR Siglos (15mm, 5.37 g).
O: Persian king or hero right, in kneeling-running stance, holding spear and bow; kerykeion (caduceus) in left field
R: Rectangular incuse punch.
- Cf. Carradice Type IV C var. Extremely rare with caduceus. 1 commentsNemonater

Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos (15 mm, 5.43 g).
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow
R: Incuse punch; stylized facing lion in reverse punch.

4 commentsNemonater

Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos (14 mm, 5.57 g).
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; bankers marks.
R: Incuse punch; roaring lion left.
- Carradice IV B, pl. XIII, 35.
2 commentsNemonater

Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos (14 mm, 5.57 g).
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; roaring lion left countermark.
R: Incuse punch; stylized facing lion in reverse punch.
3 commentsNemonater

Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse Die
Persian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos (15 mm, 5.67 g).
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; bankers marks.
R: Helmet facing within reverse incuse punch.
- Carradice plate XIII, 34; BMC Arabia p. 165, 124, pl. XXVI, 21. 3 commentsNemonater

Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos.
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; bankers marks.
R: Helmet facing within reverse incuse punch.
- Carradice plate XIII, 34; BMC Arabia p. 165, 124, pl. XXVI, 21.1 commentsNemonater

Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Circa 420-375 BC. AR Siglos (15mm, 5.45 g). Sardes or subsidiary mint.
O: Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding dagger in right hand, bow in left
R: Incuse punch with small ivy leaf or spear head.
- Carradice Type IV B; BMC Arabia pl. XXVII, 10 var. (no symbol on rev.); I. Carradice, “The Dinar Hoard of Persian Sigloi” in Studies Price, Rev. Die 58, 264 (same dies).

In his description of the Persian coinage in the Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage (Oxford, 2012), M. Alram notes (p. 69) that “in the earliest phase of type IV sigloi small images, engraved into the original die, are sometimes included in the reverse punches.” What is interesting about the current coin is that it is from Group B of type IV, a fact confirmed by Carradice’s placement of this issue in the Dinar Hoard under the “middle” groups of type IV (interestingly, Carradice failed to note the presence of the symbol on this die). Thus, Alram’s statement must be expanded to include issues beyond the earliest of type IV sigloi. - CNG

Nemonater

Silver siglos, times of Xerxes to Artaxerxes I (ca.485-420 BC), Achaemenid Kings of Persia (Carradice type IIIb). Half moon Countermark.Silver siglos, times of Xerxes to Artaxerxes I (ca.485-420 BC), Achaemenid Kings of Persia (Carradice type IIIb)
Size:16mm, 5.5g.
Figure of Great King right, drapery in double fold at knee, carrying spear and bow, a small banker's mark / Rectangular punch with irregular pattern, a small banker's mark. Carradice type IIIb, group A-B, early types; Sear 4682.
*countermark the shape of a half moon.

1 commentsAntonivs Protti

Silver-Siglos of Artaxerxes II, 405-359 BCEArchaimeniden Kingdom.
Sardeis mint 405-359 B.C.E. Av. kneeling with bow
to right Rv. incusum quality is about very fine.
17.2 x 12.4 mm., 5.5 g.
sold 4-20182 commentsNORMAN K

Time of Artaxerxes II - Darius III (Type IVc)Persia, Achaemenid Empire.
Time of Artaxerxes II - Darius III
circa 375 - 336 B.C.
AR Siglos 15mm, 5.4g.
D/ Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger in his right and bow in his left bow.
R/ Incuse punch.
Carradice Type IVcMatteo

[1901a] Ardashir I, The Great (AD 224-241) SASANIAN EMPIRE. Ardashir I, 224-241 AD. AR Drachm; Göbl 10; 4.27 gm; Toned VF. Obverse: Crowned draped bust; Reverse: Fire-altar. Ex Pegasi.

Ardashir I, The Great (AD 226-241)

Ardashir I (early Middle Persian Arđaxšēr "Who has the Divine Order as his Kingdom"), also known as Ardashīr-i Pāpagān "Ardashir, son of Pāpağ" Ardeshiri Babakan, and as Artaxerxes, was ruler of Persia (226–241) and the founder of the Sassanid dynasty (226–651). Other variants of his name appear as Artaxares, Artashastra, Ardaxshir, Ardasher, Artashir and Artakhshathra.

Early Years
Ardashir I was born in the late 2nd century in Istakhr, (located today in Iran) a vassal kingdom of the Parthian Empire. His father Pāpağ (sometimes written as Pāpak or Babak) deposed the previous king, Gochihr, and took his throne. His mother may have been named Rodhagh. During his father's reign, Ardashir I ruled the town of Darabjird and received the title of "argbadh". Upon Pāpağ's death, Ardashir I's elder brother Šāpūr ascended to the throne. However, Ardashir I rebelled against his brother and took the kingship for himself in 208.

Ardashir I rapidly extended his territory, demanding fealty from the local princes of Fars and gaining control over the neighboring provinces of Kerman, Isfahan, Susiana, and Mesene. This expansion brought the attention of the Arsacid Great King Artabanus IV (216–224), Ardashir I's overlord and ruler of the Parthian Empire, who marched against him in 224. Their armies clashed at Hormizdeghan, and Artabanus IV was killed. Ardashir I went on to invade the western provinces of the now-defunct Parthian Empire. This led to a confrontation between Kurds and Aradshir I which is recorded in a historical text named "Book of the Deeds of Ardashir son of Babak". It is written in Pahlavi script. In this book, the author explains the battle between King of the Kurds, "Madig" and Ardashir I.

Crowned in 226 as the sole ruler of Persia, and taking the title Šāhānšāh "King of Kings" (his consort Adhur-Anahid took the title "Queen of Queens"), Ardashir I finally brought the 400 year-old Parthian Empire to an end and began four centuries of Sassanid rule.
Over the next few years, Ardashir I further expanded his new empire to the east and northwest, conquering the provinces of Sistan, Gorgan, Khorasan, Margiana (in modern Turkmenistan), Balkh, and Chorasmia. Bahrain and Mosul were also added to Sassanid possessions. Furthermore, the Kings of Kushan, Turan, and Mekran recognized Ardashir as their overlord. In the West, assaults against Hatra, Armenia and Adiabene met with less success.

Religion and State
According to historian Arthur Christensen, the Sassanid state as established by Ardashir I was characterized by two general trends which differentiated it from its Parthian predecessor: a strong political centralization and organized state sponsorship of Zoroastrianism.

The Parthian Empire had consisted of a loose federation of vassal kingdoms under the suzerainty of the Great King. Ardashir I, perhaps seeing from his own successes the weaknesses of such decentralized authority, established a strong central government by which to rule Persia. The empire was divided into cantons, the dimensions of which were based on military considerations. These cantons were designed to resist the influence of hereditary interests and feudal rivalries. Local governors who descended from the ruling family bore the title of shāh. In an attempt to protect royal authority from regional challenges, the personal domains of the Sassanids and branch families family were scattered across the empire. While the old feudal princes (vāspuhrs) remained, they were required to render military service with their local troops (for the most part peasant levies). The lesser nobility was cultivated as a source of military strength, forming the elite cavalry of the army, and the royal household found a useful (and presumably reliable) military force through the hiring of mercenaries.

Zoroastrianism had existed in the Parthian Empire, and its holy text, the Avesta, had likely been compiled during the years of the Arsacid dynasty. The Sassanids could trace their heritage to the Temple of Anahita at Staxr, where Ardashir I's grandfather had been a dignitary. Under Ardashir I, the Zoroastrian (sometimes called Mazdean) religion was promoted and regulated by the state. The Sassanids built fire temples and, under royal direction, a new and official version of the Avesta was compiled by a cleric named Tansār. The government officially backed the Zurvanist doctrine of the religion, which emphasized the concept of time as the "original principle", over the competing doctrine of Vayism, which stressed the importance of space over time. Despite this state backing of a particular sect, it appears that other religious practices were tolerated so long as they did not interfere with the political authority of the Sassanids.

In other domestic affairs, Ardashir I maintained his familial base in Fars, erecting such structures as the Ghal'eh Dokhtar and the Palace of Ardashir. Despite these impressive structures, he established his government at the old Parthian capital of Ctesiphon on the Tigris River. He also rebuilt the city of Seleucia, located just across the river, which had been destroyed by the Romans in 165, renaming it Veh-Ardashir. Trade was promoted and important ports at Mesene and Charax were repaired or constructed.

War with Rome
In the latter years of his reign, Ardashir I engaged in a series of armed conflicts with Persia's great rival to the west – the Roman Empire.

Ardashir I's expansionist tendencies had been frustrated by his failed invasions of Armenia, where a relative of the former Arsacid rulers of Parthia sat on the throne. Given Armenia's traditional position as an ally of the Romans, Ardashir I may have seen his primary opponent not in the Armenian and Caucasian troops he had faced, but in Rome and her legions.

In 230 Ardashir I led his army into the Roman province of Mesopotamia, unsuccessfully besieging the fortress town of Nisibis. At the same time, his cavalry ranged far enough past the Roman border to threaten Syria and Cappadocia. It seems that the Romans saw fit to attempt a diplomatic solution to the crisis, reminding the Persians of the superiority of Roman arms, but to no avail. Ardashir I campaigned unsuccessfully against Roman border outposts again the following year (231). As a result, the Roman emperor Alexander Severus (222–235) moved to the east, establishing his headquarters at Antioch, but experienced difficulties in bringing his troops together and thus made another attempt at diplomacy, which Ardashir I rebuffed.

Finally, in 232, Severus led his legions in a three-pronged assault on the Persians. However, the separate army groups did not advance in a coordinated fashion, and Ardashir I was able to take advantage of the disorder and concentrate his forces against the enemy advancing through Armenia, where he was able to halt the Roman advance. Hearing of the Roman plans to march on his capital at Ctesiphon, Ardashir I left only a token screening force in the north and met the enemy force that was advancing to the south, apparently defeating it in a decisive manner. However, one can discern that the Persians must have suffered considerable losses as well, as no attempt was made to pursue the fleeing Romans. Both leaders must have had reason to avoid further campaigning, as Severus returned to Europe in the following year (233) and Ardashir I did not renew his attacks for several years, probably focusing his energies in the east.

On 237 Ardashir I, along with his son and successor Shapur I (241–272), again invaded Mesopotamia. This effort resulted in successful assaults on Nisibis and Carrhae and the shock this caused in Rome led the emperor to revive the Roman client-state of Osroene. In 241, Ardashir I and Shapur finally overcame the stubborn fortress of Hatra. Ardashir I died later in the year.

Final Assessment
Ardashir I was an energetic king, responsible for the resurgence of Persia, the strengthening of Zoroastrianism, and the establishment of a dynasty that would endure for four centuries. While his campaigns against Rome met with only limited success, he achieved more against them than the Parthians had done in many decades and prepared the way for the substantial successes his son and successor Shapur I would enjoy against the same enemy.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.

Cleisthenes

[401a] Persian Empire, Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C., Lydia, Asia MinorPersian Empire, Artaxerxes I - Darius III, c. 450 - 330 B.C., Lydia, Asia Minor. Silver siglos (half-stater), S 4683, VF, 5.618g, 16.43mm. Obverse: beardless archer (the Great King) kneeling right holding dagger in his right hand and bow in his left; Reverse: oblong punch. Ex FORVM.
Cleisthenes

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