Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Darius III / Alexander era

1 catalogued issue of Darius III / Alexander era — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Darius III (336–330 BCE) was the last Achaemenid Great King, defeated at Issus and Gaugamela and killed by his own satrap — and the archer coinage struck in his reign is the last of a two-hundred-year series. Darius III / Alexander era issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 300 BCE – 336 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Darius III / Alexander era in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range300 BCE – 336 CE
Eras representedAchaemenid Empire
MetalsGold
DenominationsDaric
Reign336–330 BCE
DefeatsIssus 333, Gaugamela 331 BCE
DeathMurdered by the satrap Bessus, 330 BCE
CoinageLate Carradice type darics and sigloi

The fall

Alexander invaded in 334 BCE, broke the Persian army at Issus in 333 and Gaugamela in 331, and took Babylon, Susa and Persepolis in succession. Darius fled east and was murdered by Bessus in 330.

The imperial treasuries captured at Susa and Persepolis released an unprecedented quantity of bullion into Mediterranean circulation, and the resulting monetary expansion reshaped the Hellenistic economy.

Late darics

Carradice Type IV darics dominate the late issues, with a flattened, more schematic archer. Sardis continued striking under Macedonian control for a period after the conquest.

These are the coins that were physically in the treasuries Alexander seized — a rare case where a coin type's end date is a precisely known historical event.

Achaemenid Empire · 550 – 330 BCE

Era overview →

Double Daric

Darius III / Alexander era

c. 336–300 BCE

Continuation of Persian types under Macedonian rule for paying mercenaries.

Frequently asked about Darius III / Alexander era

What happened to Persian coinage after Alexander?
The daric and siglos ceased. Alexander's imperial silver and gold, struck at Babylon, Susa and other eastern mints, replaced them across the former empire.
How much treasure did Alexander capture?
Ancient sources report tens of thousands of talents from Susa and Persepolis — enough bullion to expand the money supply of the entire Hellenistic world.
What coins did Darius III / Alexander era issue?
Darius III / Alexander era issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 300 BCE – 336 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Gold.
How many Darius III / Alexander era pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 300 BCE – 336 CE, spread across 1 era: Achaemenid Empire.
Which metals were used for Darius III / Alexander era coinage?
Gold. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Darius III / Alexander era?
Daric. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here