Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Local Achaemenid governors

1 catalogued issue of Local Achaemenid governors — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

Local Achaemenid governors across Anatolia, Phoenicia, Philistia and Samaria issued coinage under imperial authority — the practical evidence that the Persian empire ran on delegated, plural administration rather than uniform central control. Local Achaemenid governors issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 333 BCE – 450 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Samaria, Gaza, Ashkelon.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Local Achaemenid governors in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range333 BCE – 450 CE
Eras representedAchaemenid Empire
MetalsSilver
DenominationsObol
MintsSamaria, Gaza, Ashkelon
Imperial coinageDaric and siglos only
Local issuesAnatolian, Phoenician, Philistian, Samarian
LegendsGreek, Aramaic, Phoenician
PrincipleTribute in bullion, coinage devolved

Delegated money

Rather than impose a single currency, the Achaemenids required tribute in bullion and let provinces coin as their markets needed. Only the daric and siglos were imperial in the strict sense.

The result is a startlingly diverse body of coinage: Greek civic types, Phoenician royal silver, Philistian fractions and Aramaic-legend satrapal issues all circulating inside one empire.

What the diversity tells us

Monetary pluralism was a governing strategy. It reduced administrative cost, respected local commercial habit and kept elites invested in the imperial order.

For collectors, it means 'Achaemenid coinage' is a much wider field than the archer coins alone — and a considerably cheaper one to enter.

Achaemenid Empire · 550 – 330 BCE

Era overview →

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.

Frequently asked about Local Achaemenid governors

Did the Persian empire have one currency?
No. The daric and siglos were the imperial coinage, but provinces and cities continued to strike their own money for local circulation.
Why did Persia allow local coinage?
It cost less to administer, matched existing commercial habits, and kept provincial elites cooperating with imperial fiscal demands.
What coins did Local Achaemenid governors issue?
Local Achaemenid governors issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 333 BCE – 450 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Samaria, Gaza, Ashkelon.
How many Local Achaemenid governors pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 333 BCE – 450 CE, spread across 1 era: Achaemenid Empire.
Which metals were used for Local Achaemenid governors coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Local Achaemenid governors?
Obol. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Local Achaemenid governors coins minted?
Recorded mints include Samaria, Gaza, Ashkelon.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here