Numismata hellenica: a catalogue of Greek coins; with notes, a map ...

52
Metal Size
A'
M M M
M
M
M
M
3-2
3
3-
4-2^
3-2
3-2
4-2|
4-3
Weight
128-1
83-3
83-7
82-7
83-2
82-8
84-6
84-3
235-7
KINGS OF PERSIA.
KINGS OF PERSIA,
DAREIUS,
Son of Ilysiaspes, and his successors.
Note.— Tlie Aapeiicof arariip, so called from Dareius, son of Hystaspes, by whom it was first
struck, was an imitation of the gold stater of Lydia, known commonly to the Greeks as the stater of
Crcosus (KpoiiTfioc aTarijp). The Lydians, according to Herodotus, were the inventors of the
monetary art ; though, like many other great discoveries when society is prepared for them, it may
have occurred almost simultaneously in jEgina, where the silver mines of that island and of Attica
furnished the material not less conveniently than did the superficial gold of Asia Minor, and particu-
larly the native gold or electrum of the Pactolus. The abundance of gold in the countries conquered
and governed by Dareius and his successors, enabled them to issue a coinage of such vast extent,
that, recommended as the Darics were by their accuracy of weight and purity of metal, they obtained
a greater circulation in Greece than the money in gold of any Greek city. But, plentiful as
they must anciently have been, they are now rare, which may in great measure, perhaps, be attributed
to their having been converted, after the Macedonian conquest, into staters and double staters
of Alexander the Great.
Daric.
A man in long drapery, with long beard and bushy hair, crowned with an upright
cap, surmounted by four points. He kneels on his right knee ; his right hand
holds obliquely a short spear, having a ball above and a broad spear-head below ;
in left hand a bow. H. an oblong-square indented with a shapeless impression.
Aryandics.
Note.—This silver imitation of the Daric was first struck, according to Herodotus (4, 16C), by Ary-
andes, whom Cambyses, on his departure from Egypt, had left there as governor. It rivalled its
golden prototype in metallic purity, so that Aryandic silver was still renowned in the time of Hero-
dotus, a century after its issue. But the measure was fatal to Aryandes himself, who was supposed
by Dareius to wish to rival him in one of the chief glories of his reign. On some pretext, therefore,
he ordered Aryandes to be put to death. This silver coinage was, nevertheless, adopted in Persia,
and had an extensive circulation among the Greeks. Even now Aryandics are not uncommonly met
with in Greece and Asia Minor, particularly in the latter country, where their countermarks prove
their ancient currency.
Same types.
Another similar.
\ nother.
A figure of the same description kneeling and drawing his bow ;
appears a quiver.
R. quad, incus, as before.
attached to his back
A similar figure standing upright ; in right hand arrow ; in left hand bow. li. quad.
incus, as before.
A similar figure standing upright ; in right hand spear ; in left hand bow held up.
Three countermarks, one of which is the calfs head, as on coins of Cyzicus,
R. quad, incus, with two countermarks.
A similar figure kneeling to r., with three countermarks on the obverse, one of which is
the same quadruped seen as a countermark on some coins of Pamphylia. R. quad.
incus, with two countermarks, one a quadrifid leaf, the other symbol or mon. 181.
Figure as on the Daric. R. Same shapeless quad, incus. Electrotypefrom the B. M.