c. 5th Century BC Achaemenid Empire Gold Daric NGC About Uncirculated 3x4

This Achaemenid Empire gold daric dates to approximately the 5th century BC and represents one of the earliest standardized gold coinages in world history. The Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, controlled vast territories from India to Greece and established this coinage system to facilitate trade across their extensive realm. The daric became the standard gold coin of the ancient world and was highly valued for its consistent weight and purity.

The obverse features the traditional depiction of a Persian hero-king or royal archer in a kneeling-running pose, holding a bow and spear. This iconic design symbolized the military prowess and authority of the Persian Empire. The reverse displays a characteristic incuse punch mark, a simple but effective method used by ancient mints to verify the coin's authenticity and purity. The bold relief and well-defined details showcase the sophisticated minting techniques of the period.

This example has been graded AU (About Uncirculated) by NGC with a strike rating of 3/5 and surface quality of 4/5. The coin exhibits attractive golden surfaces with good detail preservation despite nearly 2,500 years of age. Achaemenid darics remain highly sought after by collectors of ancient coins due to their historical significance and rarity. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.