Archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable hoard of ancient Persian gold coins in the ancient Greek city of Notion, located in western Turkey. This significant discovery, comprising rare darics, provides compelling evidence of the widespread use of Persian currency in the fifth century BCE and offers fascinating insights into the economic and military dynamics of the era. The find, dating back approximately 2,400 years, is particularly exciting for its potential connection to the payment of mercenary troops, a common practice in the ancient world.
The coins, featuring the distinctive image of a kneeling archer, are characteristic of the Persian daric, a gold coin issued by the Achaemenid Empire. They were likely minted in Sardis, the capital of the Persian satrapy of Lydia, about 60 miles northeast of Notion. The discovery location itself, a contested borderland between Asia and Europe during that period, makes the presence of these coins highly significant, reflecting the vast reach and influence of the Persian Empire.
Historians have long known that ancient empires, including Persia, often relied on mercenaries to bolster their armies. The discovery of these gold darics in a former Greek city-state like Notion strongly suggests that the coins were used to pay these hired soldiers. Ancient Greek historians, such as Xenophon, documented that a single daric was equivalent to a soldier’s monthly wage, highlighting the substantial value of this treasure.
The hoard was found carefully buried in a small pot beneath the courtyard of a Hellenistic house, indicating it was stored for safekeeping but never retrieved. Such controlled archaeological finds are exceptionally rare, as valuable hoards are often found by looters, leading to a loss of crucial contextual information. This meticulous excavation allows researchers to understand the circumstances of its burial and its historical implications.
The discovery also provides valuable data for numismatists. The daric’s design remained largely consistent throughout the Achaemenid period, with only minor stylistic variations. By analyzing these subtle differences and correlating the find with other artifacts from the site, archaeologists can refine the chronology of Persian coinage, helping to date other discoveries and better understand the economic systems of the ancient world.