What metal and weight is the Mazaios Satrapal Double Shekel — Babylon?

Silver, weighing approximately ~17.0 g.

Achaemenid Empire

Mazaios Satrapal Double Shekel — Babylon

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.

Key specifications for Mazaios Satrapal Double Shekel — Babylon
Date	c. 331–328 BCE
Ruler / issuer	Mazaios, Satrap of Babylon
Mint	Babylon
Metal	Silver
Weight	~17.0 g
Era	Achaemenid Empire (550 – 330 BCE)
Region	From the Indus to the Aegean

Obverse

Ba'al of Tarsos enthroned, holding sceptre and eagle.

Reverse

Lion walking left above a city wall — symbol of Babylon.

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.

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Frequently asked

What is the Mazaios Satrapal Double Shekel — Babylon?: 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. It was struck in c. 331–328 BCE at Babylon under Mazaios, Satrap of Babylon.
What metal and weight is it?: Silver, weighing approximately ~17.0 g.
What designs appear on it?: Obverse: Ba'al of Tarsos enthroned, holding sceptre and eagle. Reverse: Lion walking left above a city wall — symbol of Babylon.

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.

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.