Achaemenid Gold Daric: The Icon of Ancient Currency The Achaemenid Gold Daric is among the some of the most celebrated coins of antiquity. The Daric was a high-purity gold coin introduced during the reign of Darius I (521–486 BC), around c. late 6th century BC, between 510 and 500 BC. Its purpose was to serve as a uniform royal currency across the expansive Achaemenid Empire. Weight, Purity, and Monetary Value Weight: The Daric typically weighed about 8.4 grams, in line with the Babylonian shekel standard. Gold Purity: It was struck with gold of exceptional purity—around 98–99%. Exchange Value: One Daric was worth 20 silver Sigloi, establishing a clear gold-to-silver value ratio in the Persian monetary system. Design and Imagery Obverse: Features a stylized figure of the king (or hero-king). He was commonly depicted in a kneeling-running pose, often drawing a bow or holding a spear. Reverse: Unlike many later coins, the Daric used an incuse punch—a recessed, impressed mark rather than a raised design. Why This Coin Matters Cultural Icon: The Daric symbolizes the Achaemenid Empire’s administrative sophistication and economic unity. Numismatic Significance: As one of the earliest standardized gold coins, it profoundly influenced later regional currency systems. Historical Context: Mentioned across ancient texts and found in hoards across regions, the daric reveals much about economic and political interconnections in antiquity.