Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 122. Estimate CHF3500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF2800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. Time of Darios I to Xerxes II. Circa 485-420 BC. Daric (Gold, 8.33 g). Persian king in the running-kneeling position to right, holding transverse spear in his right hand and bow in his left; quiver over his shoulder Rev. Oblong irregular incuse. BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26. Carradice Type IIIb A/B and pl. XIII, 27. An unusually nice example. Good extremely fine.

The Daric was the first ancient gold that went into widespread use. The Great Kings of Persia needed them to pay mercenary soldiers and for the bribes they used to influence politicians and rulers all over the Greek world. The way the Persian King is portrayed, in the so-called ‘running kneeling’ position, was the way early artists attempted to show motion. Its appearance here emphasizes the conservative nature of this coinage.