Pot Filled with Ancient Persian Gold Coins Discovered in Turkey
Ancient Persian Gold Coins Unearthed in Notion Reveal Rich History
In an exciting find, archaeologists have unearthed a pot of ancient gold coins in the ancient city of Notion, located in western Turkey. This remarkable discovery dates back approximately 2,400 years.
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The Discovery
The trove of coins was found beneath a residential home in a concealed room, part of a structure from the third century BCE. Christopher Ratté, a professor of classical studies at the University of Michigan and director of the Notion Archaeological Project, led the excavation. He remarked, “Finding such a valuable treasure in a controlled archaeological dig is rare. Coins like these, especially precious metal ones, are typically buried with the intention of being retrieved. Their preservation indicates a significant misfortune.”
The Persian Darics
Identified as darics, these gold coins were issued by the Persian Empire. The coins feature a kneeling archer, highlighting their Iranian origins. Minted in Sardis, around 60 miles northeast of Notion, Sardis served as the capital of the Persian satrapy of Lydia during the Persian Empire’s zenith. The daric’s design remained unchanged from the late sixth century BCE until Alexander the Great’s conquest of the Persian Empire in 330 BCE.
Historical Context
The presence of these coins in Notion suggests they were used to pay mercenary soldiers. According to the Greek historian Xenophon, a single daric was equivalent to a soldier’s monthly wage.
The burial of the coins likely corresponds to a period of significant political and military turmoil. Between 430 and 427 BCE, Notion was occupied by Persian sympathizers and mercenaries. During this period, Athenian general Paches killed pro-Persian mercenaries, expelling Persian sympathizers and reorganizing the city under Athenian control. This historical backdrop could explain why the treasure was buried and never retrieved.
Notion’s Turbulent History
Notion, situated in a contested frontier zone, frequently shifted between Persian and Greek control. This era of instability is documented in both the archaeological record and historical accounts. For example, in 427 BCE, Thucydides recorded that Paches attacked pro-Persian mercenaries in Notion, leading to the city’s reorganization under Athenian oversight.
The Excavation
The excavation at Notion, launched in 2022 by a team from the University of Michigan, Sinop University, and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, continues to shed light on the city’s complex past.
Ratté emphasized the importance of context in archaeological finds, stating, “An archaeological find without contextual information is like a person suffering from amnesia—a person without memories. It is still interesting and important, but the loss of knowledge is incalculable.”
Current Status
The discovered coins are currently housed at the Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selcuk, Turkey, alongside other artifacts recovered from the site.
This incredible discovery offers a glimpse into the turbulent history of Notion and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the ancient world.
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