Persian Treasury
Ruler

Coinage of Darius II of Persis (Darayan)

1 catalogued issue of Darius II of Persis (Darayan) — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Darayan II — Darius II of Persis — ruled Fars in the first century BCE, part of the line of Persis kings who bridged the Frataraka and the Sasanians. Darius II of Persis (Darayan) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Istakhr (Persepolis area).

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Darius II of Persis (Darayan) in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range1 CE
Eras representedParthian (Arsacid) Empire
MetalsSilver
DenominationsDrachm
MintsIstakhr (Persepolis area)
Period1st century BCE
RegionPersis (Fars)
ScriptAramaic
ReverseKing before fire altar or standard

The kings of Persis

After the Frataraka, rulers of Persis took royal titles and struck drachms and hemidrachms with a bust in a soft cap or diadem, and a reverse showing the king before a fire altar or standard.

They ruled under Parthian suzerainty but kept a distinct Iranian visual identity, using Aramaic script rather than Greek throughout.

Attribution

Names in the series repeat — several Darayans, Vadfradads and Artaxerxes — and the sequence rests on style and hoard evidence, so numbering varies between references.

Silver is generally small, thin and reasonably available; fully legible legends are the mark of a good example.

Parthian (Arsacid) Empire · 247 BCE – 224 CE

Era overview →

Kingdom of Persis – Drachm of 'Darius'

Darius II of Persis (Darayan)

1st century BCE – 1st century CE

The semi-autonomous Frataraka and later kings of Persis ruled the Achaemenid homeland under Seleucid then Parthian overlordship. Their coins preserve Persian religious iconography (fire altar, royal figure) that the Sasanians would revive and standardise.

Frequently asked about Darius II of Persis (Darayan)

Who were the kings of Persis?
A local dynasty in Fars ruling under Parthian suzerainty from the second century BCE until Ardashir I, who came from the same line, founded the Sasanian empire.
Why do the numbers differ between catalogues?
Names repeat across the dynasty and the sequence is reconstructed from style and hoards, so different references number the rulers differently.
What coins did Darius II of Persis (Darayan) issue?
Darius II of Persis (Darayan) issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 1 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Istakhr (Persepolis area).
How many Darius II of Persis (Darayan) pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 1 CE, spread across 1 era: Parthian (Arsacid) Empire.
Which metals were used for Darius II of Persis (Darayan) coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Darius II of Persis (Darayan)?
Drachm. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Darius II of Persis (Darayan) coins minted?
Recorded mints include Istakhr (Persepolis area).

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here