PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. Time of Darios I to Xerxes II, circa 485-420 BC. Siglos (Silver, 16 mm, 5.43 g), Lydo-Milesian standard, Sardes. Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance to right, holding spear and bow; to left, two countermarks: Archaic head of a calf to right and anchor. Rev. Rectangular incuse punch. BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 28. Carradice Type IIIb Group A (pl. XII, 17). Nicely toned. A lovely coin with two very interesting countermarks. Very fine.


The lovely incuse Archaic calf head countermark is reminiscent of hektai from Mytilene as well as of a number of late 6th and 5th century Greek silver issues