What is the Gold Daric (Type IV)?

The Greeks called them 'archers' — Agesilaus famously said he was 'driven out of Asia by 10,000 archers'. It was struck in c. 485–330 BCE at Sardis (primary) under Darius I to Darius III.

What metal and weight is the Gold Daric (Type IV)?

Gold (95–98% fine), weighing approximately 8.34–8.4 g.

Persian Treasury

فارسی11 eras

Achaemenid Empire

Gold Daric (Type IV)

The Greeks called them 'archers' — Agesilaus famously said he was 'driven out of Asia by 10,000 archers'.

Key specifications for Gold Daric (Type IV)
Date	c. 485–330 BCE
Ruler / issuer	Darius I to Darius III
Mint	Sardis (primary)
Metal	Gold (95–98% fine)
Weight	8.34–8.4 g
Era	Achaemenid Empire (550 – 330 BCE)
Region	From the Indus to the Aegean

Obverse

Bearded king in kidaris crown, kneeling-running right, holding spear and bow.

Reverse

Irregular oblong incuse punch.

Historical context — Achaemenid Empire

Darius I (522–486 BCE) reformed imperial coinage, issuing the gold Daric and silver Siglos. Bearing the running or kneeling archer-king, they are among the most iconic ancient coins.

Read the full Achaemenid Empire essay →

Frequently asked

What is the Gold Daric (Type IV)?: The Greeks called them 'archers' — Agesilaus famously said he was 'driven out of Asia by 10,000 archers'. It was struck in c. 485–330 BCE at Sardis (primary) under Darius I to Darius III.
What metal and weight is it?: Gold (95–98% fine), weighing approximately 8.34–8.4 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Bearded king in kidaris crown, kneeling-running right, holding spear and bow. Reverse: Irregular oblong incuse punch.

Double Daric

Darius III / Alexander era

c. 336–300 BCE

Continuation of Persian types under Macedonian rule for paying mercenaries.

Silver Siglos (Type IIIb)

Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II

c. 485–375 BCE

20 Sigloi = 1 Daric. Hundreds of thousands survive — the most common Achaemenid coin.

Satrapal Coin of Asia Minor

Achaemenid satrap (probably Tiribazos)

Early 4th century BCE

Among the earliest realistic portraits in Western coinage.

Mazaios Satrapal Double Shekel — Babylon

Mazaios, Satrap of Babylon

c. 331–328 BCE

Struck by Mazaios, the Achaemenid satrap who surrendered Babylon to Alexander in 331 BCE and was confirmed as governor. His coinage is a hinge moment: Achaemenid satrapal iconography continued unchanged into the early Macedonian administration.

Philisto-Arabian / Samarian Obol

Local Achaemenid governors

c. 450–333 BCE

Tiny silver fractions struck by Achaemenid-appointed governors of the Levantine coast — blending Persian, Greek and Phoenician iconography. Image: closely related satrapal type.

Sidonian Double Shekel under Achaemenid Suzerainty

Abd'ashtart I / Straton I of Sidon

c. 365–352 BCE

The most explicit numismatic image of Achaemenid imperial overlordship — the Phoenician vassal king literally walks behind the Persian Great King's chariot.

Source

Commons – Daric (CNG) →