ACHAEMENID PERSIA. Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II (ca. 420-375 BC). AR quarter siglos (8mm, 1.13 gm). NGC VF 5/5 - 2/5, smoothing. Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes mint. Persian king or hero, wearing cidaris and candys, no belt, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, dagger in right hand, bow forward in left / Rectangular irregular incuse punch. Carradice IV, B. Winzer -. cf. Klein 755. This quarter siglos was struck during a turbulent period of Persian imperial history from the reign of Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Xerxes II reigned only briefly before he was murdered. His successor, Darius II Ochus is said to have been dominated by his wife and induced Sparta to make war on Athens. His son, Artaxerxes II, repelled the mercenary army of his brother as chronicled by Xenophon, and continued to incite conflict between Sparta and Athens as a means of restoring Persian control over western Asia Minor. Considering the period of issue, this coin is likely to have paid Greek mercenaries in Persian service or contributed to the funds placed at the disposal of Sparta for prosecuting the war with Athens.

HID09801242017

To the auctioneer's website