Persian Coin | Silver Siglos

History of the Artifact The Achaemenid Empire, also known as the First Persian Empire, stands as one of the greatest powers of antiquity. Founded by Cyrus the Great, it boasted rulers like Darius I and Xerxes I, who left lasting marks on history. These silver sigloi (derived from the Persian word for "shekel") were likely minted during Xerxes’ reign (486–465 BCE), a period marked by Persia’s vast territorial reach and its ambitions to expand into Greece. Following Darius I’s failed attempt to conquer Greece at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, Xerxes renewed the campaign in 481–479 BCE. It is possible that these coins were minted to fund his massive invasion force, including hired mercenaries. The siglos, weighing about 5.5 grams, was part of the standardized currency introduced by Darius I. Featuring the Persian king in a running or kneeling pose, armed with a bow or spear, it symbolized his roles as both a warrior and a guardian of the empire. This standardized currency not only str