Achaemenid Siglos; Lydia - Persia

This general type Siglos, with kneeling archer holding a bow and spear interpreted as a Great King, was struck during the long reign of the Persians (Circa 521-330 B.C.). This period of time means that the 'Great King' here could be Artaxerxes I or Artaxerxes II. The reverse is just a crude oblong punch from the anvil upon which it was struck. This is a rather nice example with two small countermarks, probably the signets of money changers, this crest type countermark was published by George F. Hill in the British Museum Catalog. Carradice, Ian. has classified these after extensive hoard studies, see below for access to a great depiction of type classifications. This one is: Type IIIb (late). Artaxerxes I - Artaxerxes II, c. 450 - 375 BC. c. 5.55 - 5.60 g.
This AR Siglos weighs 5.55 gm and is ~ 11 mm in diameter. S4682. Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes mint (?). This specific type is described as: "Stylistic drapery with broad semi-circular sweep of folds from the left knee back to the right heel, no pellets, large formal figure, often V-shaped folds on front of drapery, sometimes quiver not visible. Possibly struck at multiple mints." [NumisWiki, Siglos]
ACHAEMENID PERSIAN EMPIRE. Uncertain King PERSIA. Achaemenid Empire. Time of Darius I to Xerxes II. Circa 485-420 BC. BMC Arabia pl. XXV, 26. SNG Cop 281-283. Mint in western Asia Minor, Persian Great king, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneeling-running position to right, holding transverse spear with round rear terminal in right hand and bow in left, quiver over shoulder. Reference is Ian Carradice, SNG, Type IIIb (late).
In the Near East, money evolved independently, taking an entirely different trajectory. Around the same time that China was casting miniature tools in bronze, the kingdom of Lydia (located in modern Turkey) started striking coins in a natural alloy of silver and gold (electrum). Previously most transactions in the region had involved the exchange of bullion, which required weighing and assaying with every exchange. With the stater and its fractions “soon struck in pure gold or silver instead of alloyed electrum, Lydia standardized monetary units while also certifying authenticity.
Lydia was defeated by the Achaemenid Empire in 547 BCE. Learning metallurgy and minting from their new subjects, the Achaemenid kings started to issue their own coinage in precious metals with one signal difference: In contrast to the lions and bulls gracing Lydian staters, the new sigloi portrayed the monarch, depicting him as a kneeling archer with drawn bow. Wherever the Achaemenid currency spread, it carried an implicit threat of colonization. [NNP, Newman Numismatic Portal]

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Great information of Achaemenid Gold Daric at this: [ link ]

Achaemenid Siglos types, according to Carradice, can be determined at NumisWiki, including the counterpunch styles at this: [ link ]