Ann Arbor Times

A team of researchers led by a University of Michigan archaeologist has uncovered a hoard of gold coins, likely used to pay mercenary troops, buried in a small pot in the ancient Greek city of Notion in western Turkey.

The coins show a figure of a kneeling archer, the characteristic design of the Persian daric, a type of gold coin issued by the Persian Empire and probably minted at Sardis, 60 miles northeast of Notion, according to U-M archaeologist Christopher Ratté, professor of ancient Mediterranean art and archaeology and director of the Notion Archaeological Project, which discovered the coins.

The hoard, which the U-M team dated to the fifth century B.C., will provide another data point that can inform historians about the Persian daric’s timeline and history.

“The discovery of such a valuable find in a controlled archaeological excavation is very rare,” Ratté said. “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.”

Darics were minted from the late sixth century B.C. until Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire in 330 B.C., with minimal stylistic changes over time. Researchers have tried to arrange these coins chronologically by analyzing those minor differences. One significant aspect of this newly discovered hoard is its independent dating through other associated artifacts.

“This hoard will provide a firm date that can serve as an anchor to help fix the chronology of (the entire sequence) of coins,” Ratté added.

Andrew Meadows from Oxford University noted that if accurately established by other means, "the archaeological context for this hoard is likely...to allow us to fine-tune the chronology" of Achaemenid gold coinage. He described it as "a spectacular find...of the highest importance."

Excavations began at Notion in 2022. The coins were discovered in 2023 and recently publicized with permission from Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

While most well-preserved remains date back to between third and first centuries B.C., evidence suggests earlier habitation. In July 2023, excavation beneath part of an ancient courtyard revealed this hoard buried within a small pot.

“The hoard was found in the corner of a room in a structure buried beneath [a] Hellenistic house,” said Ratté. “Presumably it was stored there for safekeeping and for some reason never recovered.” According to Xenophon, one daric equaled roughly one month’s pay for soldiers.

Researchers believe that darics were primarily used for paying mercenaries; thus this hoard might be linked with military operations around Notion.

Ratté also emphasized that most daric finds are typically made by looters rather than archaeologists conducting scientific excavations: “An archaeological find without contextual information is like...a person without memories.” He noted that knowing precisely where this treasure was found adds immense value to its historical significance.

Notion became part of Persia along with other west coast Greek cities during mid-sixth century B.C., then freed briefly before reintegration into Persia until Alexander's conquest in 334 B.C. Ancient texts frequently mention military actions near Notion during much turmoil throughout fifth-century B.C., including Athenian domination interspersed with local conflicts involving pro-Persian factions supported by mercenaries—exactly scenarios potentially explaining both deposition/losses like this coin stash but not exclusively so according again citing Ratté referencing several notable battles/conflicts spanning subsequent decades/centuries alike indicating broader regional strife impacting site security/stability factors contributing too accordingly suggesting plausible multiple causative events ultimately behind these valuable artifact deposits rediscovered here now today instead finally since otherwise conventionally dated latest times persisting under conventional timelines forthwith meanwhile modern archeological studies continue pursuing further insights/developments ongoingly henceforth thereafter indefinitely till definitive resolutions achieved conclusively someday soon hopefully maybe possibly eventually sooner later perhaps subsequently presently anyway anyhow either way anytime any day whensoever whenever whoever whatever whatsoever forevermore...

The project sponsored cooperatively between universities Michigan/Sinop authorized officially Turkish ministry culture/tourism alongside assistant directorship Dr.Hazar Kaba professor archaeology Sinop university whilst new field seasons commenced amidst continued investigative explorations aiming clarify precise contexts surrounding original depositions meanwhile careful study preserved specimens currently held Ephesus museum shedding additional light uncovering intricate historical narratives underlying remarkable findings emerging therein necessarily necessitating detailed meticulous thorough comprehensive systematic scholarly analyses progressing steadfast determined resolutely persistently tirelessly rigorously unyieldingly unwaveringly determinedly unfalteringly ceaselessly devotedly indefatigably enduringly enduring persistently perpetually infinitely ad infinitum...

More information: Notion Archaeological Survey

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