Ancient Persian Coins

Ptolemy III: The Ambitious Pharaoh of Egypt

Ptolemy III of Egypt, also known as Ptolemy Euergetes, ruled Egypt from 246 to 222 BCE. As the third ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, he significantly expanded Egypt's territory and strengthened its economy. Ptolemy III’s reign marked a period of prosperity and military success, leaving a lasting legacy in ancient Egyptian history.

Early Life and Ascension

Ptolemy III was born into royalty as the son of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Queen Arsinoe I. Groomed from birth to assume leadership, he was well-versed in statecraft, military strategy, and diplomacy. Ptolemy III took the throne when his father passed away in 246 BCE.

Introduction: A Guide to Building Your Unique Treasure

In the world of rare coin collecting, enthusiasts are captivated by history and welcome tips on collecting rare coins. Museums, such as the American Numismatic Association Money Museum, showcase extraordinary collections. The Smithsonian National Numismatic Collection and the British Museum contribute to our appreciation of rare coins, emphasizing their historical significance.

The allure of rare coins extends beyond museum walls. Auction houses and private collectors frequently make these numismatic treasures available for sale. Rare coin collecting is not just a cultural and historical journey; it's also an opportunity for financial gain. Rare collections, featuring sought-after coins, can

King Croesus renowned wealth became synonymous with his own name. The saying "rich as Croesus" originated in reference to his absurd affluence. Subsequently, Croesus reign became associated with the invention of coins as currency. Before Croesus became King, his father Alyattes had already started to mint various types of non-standardized coins. However, Croesus took it one step further. By developing an innovative refining process and standardizing the specific sizes as well as the purity for general circulation, King Croesus advanced both silver and gold.

In other words, Croesus created intrinsic value deriving from a certain quantity of gold or

The Persian Empire was a series of imperial dynasties centered in modern-day Iran. It spanned from 559 B.C. to 330 B.C. The Wealth of the Persian Empire was because they were the first empire to embrace a monetary system. They bought and trading goods with coinage and were also the first to collect taxes in coins. These factors led the Persian Empire to thrive and Persian Kings to be fabulously wealthy. This wealth enabled Persians to build superior roads. In fact, their roads linked major trade partners and massive architectural wonders within their Empire

Great leaders of the Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, included Cyrus the Great, Darius, and Xerxes. In addition, other family members ruled the Achaemenid Dynasty. These great leader were the first in the world to embrace a monetary system and created wealth

The Persian Achaemenid Empire ruled Babylon for about two hundred years. They were the first super power of the ancient world. Their vast empire reached from India down to Egypt and all the way up to the northern border of Greece. The Achaemenids were an unstoppable force until Alexander did the unthinkable. Alexander the Great conquered Babylon and defeated the Achaemenids in 331 BCE. Alexander's actions change the entire ancient world.

Alexander learned to be a great leader and powerful imperialist from his father Philip II. He also learned to be a battle strategist. Moreover, he knew what the odds would be against an outmatched manpower. But, despite the odds Alexander relied on speed and distraction to achieve victory after victory. Subsequently, Alexander the Great

This is the first silver coins ever struck! It dates back over 2,500 years to modern-day Turkey. King Croesus of Lydia was the first person to issue a bi-metallic coinage system. In addition, it was meant for circulation throughout the kingdom. Coinage of King Croesus all used the same design. They are struck in both gold and silver. Consequently, the design showed a lion and a bull facing one another. The bull implies fertility and the lion implies strength.

The Silver staters are the largest denomination of silver coins from Croesus. There is also a half stater, quarter stater, sixth stater, twelfth stater and a tiny 1/24^th stater! We have even sold 2 examples of

An ancient Persian Gold Daric is a high-purity gold piece and weighs approximately 8.4 grams. This weight is based on an ancient weight standard.

The Daric was also referred to as a Babylonian shekel. It was called a shekel because it was equivalent to one month's pay for a mercenary foot soldier. We know what Persian Darics were used for. Persian Darics were some of the first coins ever used as currency. Currency was a new concept, because in ancient times bartering was the norm.

One daric could be exchanged for 20 silver sigloi. This was a daric's silver currency counterpart.