← Explore on the interactive map

Persian Daric Gold Coin

Type Object Region Persia Time c. -550–-330

The Persian daric was a standardized high-purity gold coin first struck under Darius I of the Achaemenid Empire (c.…

Timeline

  1. c. -550–-500Persepolis and Susa · IranDrawing on Lydian minting experience, Darius I issued standardized gold coins (darics) and silver coins (sigloi) to unify imperial finances and military expenditure, replacing irregular local bullion pieces.
  2. c. -520–-400Imperial provinces · West AsiaDarius I perfected the daric's design and purity standards, promoting it across Asia Minor, Egypt, Babylon, and the Indian frontier through the Royal Road and the provincial governor system, making it the core means of payment for imperial tribute, military pay, and international trade.
  3. c. -400–-330Anatolia and the Eastern Mediterranean · AnatoliaDuring the Persian Wars the daric circulated widely in the Greek world and remained in use as international hard currency afterward; after Alexander conquered the Persian treasury he issued imitative daric-style gold coins, which eventually merged into the bimetallic currency system of the Hellenistic world.

Sources