When collectors ask about ancient Persian coins, they often get confused by different dynasties and languages. Let's cut through the noise with clear facts.

The most famous Persian coin is the Daric gold coin¹, introduced by Darius I around 516 BCE. These 5.6g pure gold coins featured the Persian king holding a bow and spear, serving as both currency and political propaganda across the Achaemenid Empire.

Last month, a client sent me a blurry photo of a coin with cuneiform script. After consulting our numismatic experts, we discovered it was a rare sigloi silver coin - the Daric's smaller cousin. Let's explore these historical treasures systematically.

What was the Persian coin called?

Persian coins carried different names across eras. The term "Daric" comes from Greek writers, while Persians called them "dārā" after their kings.

The Daric gold coin (5th-4th BCE) and silver sigloi were imperial currency. Later Sassanian coins (224-651 CE) showed rulers' portraits with Pahlavi script legends.

Three key Persian coin periods:

The Daric's consistent weight made it the US dollar of its time. Modern replicas require precise craftsmanship - something we achieve through CNC milling and laser etching.

What are the Pahlavi coins in Iran?

Pahlavi coins² mark Iran's transition to modernity under Reza Shah (1925-1941). These machine-struck coins replaced hammered Qajar coins.

Pahlavi coins (1926-1979) include gold 10, 5, 2.5, and 1 Pahlavi denominations. They feature the ruler's portrait with complex heraldic reverse designs representing Iran's constitutional monarchy.

Key design elements:

• Obverse: Ruler's profile (Reza Shah or Mohammad Reza Pahlavi)
• Reverse: Lion holding sword before rising sun
• Edge: Reeded security edges
• Purity: 91.7% gold (22k)

Our factory recreates these designs using original mint blueprints. For educational institutions, we produce brass replicas with accurate weight specifications at 1/10th the gold price.

How much is a 5 Pahlavi gold coin worth?

The value depends on three factors: gold content, historical significance, and condition. A 1972 5 Pahlavi coin contains 33.72g of 22k gold.

As of July 2024, a circulated 5 Pahlavi gold coin³ sells for $2,300-$2,800. Uncirculated specimens with original mint packaging can reach $4,500 at auctions.

Current valuation breakdown:

We help collectors verify authenticity through XRF testing and edge analysis. For modern commemorative issues, our dual plating (2μm gold + protective coating) preserves value better than original mint techniques.

Premium Replicas for Education & Collecting

Before concluding, let me share why museums and universities choose our replicas:

1. Historical Accuracy: Our 3D scanners capture details from original coins in the British Museum collection
2. Safe Handling: Nickel-silver base with 18k gold plating (0.5mm thickness) prevents classroom damage
3. Customization: Add QR codes linking to historical context videos
4. Budget Options: Zinc alloy versions available from $4.90/pc (MOQ 100)

We produced 5,000 Ottoman akçe replicas for Stanford's Islamic history department - each coin included NFC chips with multilingual explanations.

Conclusion

From ancient Darics to Pahlavi gold coins, these artifacts tell human stories through metal. Whether you need museum-grade replicas or custom commemorative coins, our ISO-certified facility combines historical research with modern minting technology. Let's preserve history together - one coin at a time.