PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Kyros – Darios I. Circa 547/30–520 BC. AR Third Stater (14mm, 3.46 g). In the types of Kroisos. Sardes mint. VF.

Electronic Auction 597
Lot: 247. Estimated: $ 200

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 2 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Kyros – Darios I. Circa 547/30–520 BC. AR Third Stater (14mm, 3.46 g). In the types of Kroisos. Sardes mint. Confronted foreparts of lion and bull / Incuse square. Unpublished. Toned, granular surfaces, minor edge marks. VF. Extremely rare.

The conventional wisdom is that the Achaemenid authorities did not strike fractional coinage of Kroisos type, but this is based on a very limited number of hoards containing Persian issues of Kroiseid type that did not contain any such coins. However, numerous fractions were regularly struck under Kroisos, and as well as under the Persians beginning as early as their own Type II archer sigloi. As such, it is not unreasonable to assume that fractional Kroiseids could have been struck under the Persians. The present coin is a perfect example of such as fraction, as the lion and bull clearly have the canonical style that is distinctive of the Persian Kroiseids.

Closing Date and Time: 15 October 2025 at 11:22:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.