Ancient Persian Coins Unearthed in Greek City of Notion

close up of gold coinPhoto byScottsdale MintonUnsplash

Researchers from the University of Michigan's Notion Archaeological Project have unearthed a truly exceptional find in the ancient Greek city of Notion, located in western Turkey. The team discovered a 'hoard of gold coins' from the Persian Empire, a find they described as 'exceedingly rare' in a news release on Friday, underscoring the significance of their discovery.

The coins, featuring the figure of a kneeling archer, bear the design of the daric, a type of gold coin used in the Persian Empire from the late 6th century B.C. until Alexander the Great's conquest in 330 B.C. These coins, primarily used to pay mercenary troops, hold a significant place in history. The team found the stash in a small pot buried under a large house in the center of Notion, a city that was intermittently part of the Persian Empire during the time the coins were in circulation, adding to the historical significance of their find.

Christopher Ratté, a professor of classical studies at the University of Michigan and director of the Notion Archaeological Project explained:

Presumably, it was stored there for safekeeping and for some reason never recovered.

The discovery, made in 2023, was recently made public after obtaining permission from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

"This is a spectacular find of the highest importance," said Andrew Meadows of Oxford University, formerly curator of coins at the British Museum and the American Numismatic Society. The coins, some of which date back to the 5th century B.C., will provide valuable data for mapping the timeline of the daric, potentially reshaping our understanding of Achaemenid gold coinage and its historical context.

Ratte suggested that the coins were likely buried due to conflict in and around Notion, a hotspot for military operations during that period, explaining:

This hoard will provide a firm date that can serve as an anchor to help fix the chronology of the entire sequence of coins. No one ever buries a hoard of coins, especially precious metal coins, without intending to retrieve it. So only the gravest misfortune can explain the preservation of such a treasure.

The researchers, who recently started new excavations in Notion, hope that future finds will shed more light on the hoard. Meanwhile, the gold coins, which are being analyzed at the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Turkey, are undergoing a comprehensive study including metallurgical analysis, historical context examination, and conservation procedures. The discovery provides a rare and invaluable context for understanding Achaemenid gold coinage, contributing significantly to the field of archaeology.