AR Siglos 404-359 BC ACHAEMENID KINGDOM OF PERSIA - ARTAXERXES II (404-359/8) - Sardis, circa 400-340 BC f/vf

weight 5,69gr. | silver 14x12mm.
Carradice type IV

obv. Persian king with beard and crown, wearing kidaris and
kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right,
holding akinakès (dagger) in right hand and bow in left
rev. Oblong incuse punch

This siglos type was introduced during the reign of Artaxerxes II and
its production was  continued during the reign of his son Artaxerxes III.

The symbol on the reverse resembles a leaf. It is not struck, as with bankers marks or countermarks, but it is applied in the die and therefore also struck during the minting. At sigloi we know specimens with lion′s head, struck in the same way on the reverse, but this symbol is unknown to me. As such it is extremely rare and deserves further study. Highly interesting piece and possibkly unique.

cf. BMC page 171, 172 | SNG.Copenhagen 284 | SNG.Kayhan 1031  
Slg. Klein 763 | cf. Carradice in BAR 343 (1987), type IV, pl.XV,46  
Rosen collection 677 | Sunrise 33-36 | Asyut Hoard- | cf. Sear 4683
Babelon, Traité II, page 62, 26-27 (Pl.LXXXVII, 9-12)
Mitchiner ATAEC 1985 (Gordium)
some flatness of strike on obverse
f/vf

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