Ancient Hoard of Gold Coins Discovered in Turkey

Archaeologists from the University of Michigan have made a remarkable discovery in the ancient city of Notion, located in modern-day Turkey.

While excavating the courtyard of a third-century B.C.E. house, they unearthed a pot containing a hoard of gold daric coins, dating back to the fifth century B.C.E.

These darics, minted in Sardis and depicting a kneeling archer, were buried well before the construction of the house where they were found. Such finds are rare in controlled excavations, as valuable hoards are typically buried with the intention of retrieval.

The burial of this trove suggests that the owner, likely a mercenary soldier, faced grave misfortune.

The discovery offers crucial insights into the region’s turbulent history, particularly the conflicts between Greek city-states and the Persian Empire. The find is expected to refine historians’ understanding of Achaemenid coinage, providing detailed contextual information often missing from looted artefacts.

Ongoing research and further excavations in Notion may reveal more about the historical events surrounding this intriguing hoard.

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