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PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Artaxerxes I to Xerxes II. Circa 455-420 BC. AV Daric (11.5mm, 8.31 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes mint. Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding [dagger (pointed downward) in right hand], bow in left / Incuse punch; small lion head right within. Carradice Type IV, Group A (pl. XIII, 32 [for type]); Triton IX, lot 1065; Triton VIII, lot 567; CNG 70, lot 416; CNG 69, lot 715; CNG 66, lot 731 (all from the same rev. punch). Lustrous, struck on a compact flan. Good VF. Extremely rare with lion head on reverse.
From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Tkalec (9 May 2005), lot 98 (hammer 6000 CHF).
A number of markings in the reverse dies of sigloi of this same Carradice type and group are known, including a left-turned lion's head (cf. BMC 110ff, and Carradice, "The Dinar Hoard of Persian Sigloi," Essays Price, p. 71, 146-151). There are no darics published with a design on the reverse, however, nor is there a downward (or right) facing lion's head type among the sigloi. The significance of these designs or symbols is unknown.
Interestingly, this reverse punch is known to have been used before the lion was engraved (see previous lot), and was later altered, removing the lion head, to strike darics of Carradice Type IV, Group B (cf. Triton XVI, lot 580). This denomination was unknown to Carradice for his Group B, but a handful have since come on the market (see the following lot).
The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session Two – Greek Coinage Part II through Roman Imperial Coinage Part I will be held Tuesday afternoon, 14 January 2020 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.
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