INCREDIBLE ANCIENT PERSIAN GOLD COINS DISCOVERED IN OLD GREEK CITY
A group of researchers from the Notion Archeological Project have uncovered something that sounds like something out of a storybook in modern-day Turkey: a cache of gold coins that date back more than 2,000 years and were hidden in a little pot. Since 2022, the research team has been excavating in Notion under the direction of University of Michigan archaeologist Christopher Ratté. At the ancient Greek city and archaeological site of Notion, also known as Notium, these coins were discovered under the courtyard of a Hellenistic home.
The priceless coins are identified as Persian darics from the fifth century BCE because they are moulded with the image of a kneeling archer. From the late sixth century until Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian empire in 330 BCE, Daric coins were in circulation.
These coins were probably meant to be used as payment for mercenaries in addition to being used as currency. Scientists place this in the context of previous military operations and local conflicts that took place in Notion.
The coins' discovery is noteworthy to archaeologists because most collections of priceless metals are looted before scholars have an opportunity to study and catalogue them. Ratté told University of Michigan News, "An archaeological find without contextual information is like a person suffering from amnesia—a person without memories."
Researchers are currently trying to identify the various coin styles so that they can be arranged chronologically even though they all share the same emblem. By examining other artefacts discovered nearby, the age of the artefact was ascertained.
Ratté said, "This hoard will give a solid date that can act as an anchor to help fix the chronology of the (complete sequence of coins)." The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has only recently approved the publication of the research results, despite the coins having been found the previous year.
Researchers may not find the precise reason these coins were buried by looking into them further, but they may learn more about the Persian Empire and ancient economic systems. One historical artefact at a time, archaeologists can add to our understanding of the past with each discovery they make.