(Based on stylistic analysis, the coin most likely belongs to the early reign of Xerxes I, although a very late issue of Darius I cannot be completely excluded.)
Obverse:
The Great King of the Achaemenid Empire is depicted in the characteristic royal kneeling-running pose facing right, holding a long spear in his right hand and a composite Persian bow in his left. He wears the traditional royal robe with deeply engraved folds and the tall Persian kidaris. The beard and facial features are carefully engraved, while the overall style represents the refined artistic execution characteristic of the early Type III coinage.
Reverse:
Deep rectangular oblong incuse punch executed in a single strike without additional devices.
According to the accepted academic classification, Carradice Type III belongs to the common imperial silver issues forming the principal circulating silver coinage of the Achaemenid Empire during the fifth century BC.
Academic rarity designation:
Common (C)
Nevertheless, examples displaying well-centred strikes, nearly complete royal figures, and attractive preservation are considerably less frequently encountered than average specimens.
NGC Choice Fine (Ch F)
For Achaemenid silver sigloi, this represents an above-average state of preservation.
The present specimen exhibits:
The coin displays an attractive natural silver-grey archaeological cabinet tone typical of ancient silver.
Minor traces of historical mechanical brushing remain visible, corresponding to the official Brushed designation assigned by NGC. The surfaces remain stable, with no evidence of active corrosion or modern restoration.
Xerxes I the Great (486–465 BC), son of Darius I the Great, ranks among the most renowned rulers of the Achaemenid Empire.
During his reign the Persian Empire reached the height of its territorial power. Xerxes commanded the famous invasion of Greece, including the crossing of the Hellespont and the battles of Thermopylae, Artemisium, Salamis, and Plataea.
Although the Greek campaign ultimately failed, the Achaemenid Empire remained the dominant political and economic power throughout the Near East for nearly another century and a half.
The silver siglos served as the principal silver denomination of the empire and was extensively employed for military payments, long-distance commerce, and official state finance across territories extending from Asia Minor to the Indus Valley.
This specimen represents an authentic imperial silver Siglos struck during the early reign of Xerxes I the Great at the royal mint of Sardes, circa 485–470 BC. Classified as Carradice Type IIIb, it combines strong centering, attractive preservation, and professional certification by NGC (Choice Fine, Brushed), making it an excellent representative example of Achaemenid imperial silver coinage suitable for advanced collections and scholarly reference.