Buried Treasure of Persian Gold Coins Unearthed in Ancient Greek City

A pot brimming with ancient Persian gold coins, likely hidden by mercenaries in the 5th century BC, has been unearthed beneath a home in the ancient Greek city of Notion, Turkey.

The remarkable discovery was made during a controlled archaeological excavation, a rarity that adds to the intrigue surrounding the treasure. The coins, identified as Persian darics, depict a kneeling archer and were likely minted in Sardis, a city once part of the Persian Empire.

"The discovery of such a valuable find in a controlled archaeological excavation is very rare," stated Christopher Ratté, director of the Notion Archaeological Survey. "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 presence of the darics, each equivalent to a month's soldier's pay according to ancient texts, suggests the hoard belonged to mercenaries operating in the politically tumultuous region. During the 5th century BC, Notion experienced shifting allegiances between the Greeks and the Persian Empire.

Ratté points to a specific period between 430 and 427 BC as a possible timeframe for the burial. This period saw pro-Persian mercenaries clashing with Athenian forces, ultimately resulting in the expulsion of Persian sympathizers. The turmoil of this period may hold the key to understanding why the mercenaries hid the coins and never returned for their treasure.

The Hellenistic period occurred after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. and lasted until the conquest of the final Hellenistic kingdom by Rome in 31 B.C. During the sixth century B.C., Notion was incorporated into the Persian Empire along with other Greek cities. In the early fifth century B.C., it was freed from Persian rule for a time, only to be reintegrated into the empire during the fourth century B.C., according to the statement.

Between 430 and 427 B.C., a group of Persian sympathizers, as well as Greek and "barbarian" mercenaries, occupied Notion. During that time, the Athenian general Paches killed pro-Persian mercenaries, prompting Persian sympathizers to be expelled from the city as the Athenians took control, according to the statement.

Ratté said that these events could have led to the burial and eventual loss of the hoard.