Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Auction 124 - Session 2 . 331
Greek
Category
PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Darios II to Artaxerxes II. Circa 420-375 BC. Daric and/or Siglos Die (29mm, 56.49 g). Incuse Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding dagger and bow / Rough surface. For coin type, see Carradice Type IV B. Brown patina with earthen deposits. As made. Extremely rare. The type engraved on this die appears on both Achaemenid darics and sigloi. While the high state of preservation of the details suggests the die may be unused, it is also possible that it had limited use striking the softer gold used for darics. What remains uncertain, though is whether this is an official die, or that of a counterfeiter. Most known ancient dies are of the latter type, but one also wonders whether this die may have had a non-numismatic use. Regardless, all aspects of this piece clearly indicate its ancient origin is not in doubt.
Description
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Grade
EUR
Starting
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Estimate
EUR
Realized