Persian Treasury
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Coinage of Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II

1 catalogued issue of Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II — metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions with references.

In short

The period from Xerxes I (486–465 BCE) to Artaxerxes II (404–358 BCE) is the classical age of the siglos — the century in which Persian silver financed Greek wars without a Persian army crossing the Aegean. Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 375 BCE – 485 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Sardis.

Catalogued
1
Eras
1
Metals
1
Denominations
1

Key facts

Key facts about Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II in the Persian Treasury catalogue
Catalogued pieces1
Date range375 BCE – 485 CE
Eras representedAchaemenid Empire
MetalsSilver
DenominationsSiglos
MintsSardis
Span486–358 BCE
Siglos weight≈5.4–5.6 g
Exchange20 sigloi = 1 gold daric
Common featureBanker's punch marks

Money as strategy

After the failure of the invasions of Greece, Persia shifted from armies to subsidies, funding whichever Greek state balanced against the strongest. Persian gold decided the Peloponnesian War's end and dictated the King's Peace of 387 BCE.

Xenophon's Ten Thousand were hired with the same money. Achaemenid coinage in this period is best read as an instrument of foreign policy.

Sigloi in the market

Sigloi survive in quantity and frequently carry banker's punch marks — small test cuts made by merchants verifying the silver, which are evidence of circulation rather than damage.

They are the most affordable authentic Achaemenid coins, and a punch-marked siglos with clear archer detail is an excellent first ancient Persian purchase.

Achaemenid Empire · 550 – 330 BCE

Era overview →

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.

Frequently asked about Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II

What are the marks on a siglos?
Banker's punches — test marks made by merchants checking that the coin was solid silver. They are normal and confirm genuine ancient circulation.
How did Persia influence Greece without invading?
By subsidy. Persian gold funded rival Greek states, ended the Peloponnesian War on Sparta's side and imposed the King's Peace of 387 BCE.
What coins did Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II issue?
Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II issued 1 catalogued coin type dated 375 BCE – 485 CE, recorded here with metal, weight, mint, obverse and reverse descriptions. The surviving issues in this catalogue are struck in Silver at Sardis.
How many Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II pieces are catalogued on Persian Treasury?
1 item, dated 375 BCE – 485 CE, spread across 1 era: Achaemenid Empire.
Which metals were used for Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II coinage?
Silver. Each entry records the metal, the approximate weight where known, and a cited reference.
Which denominations are associated with Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II?
Siglos. Every denomination has its own reference page with dated examples.
Where were Xerxes I – Artaxerxes II coins minted?
Recorded mints include Sardis.

Explore related hubs

Denominations here

Metals here