Persia. Achaemenid Empire. Time of Darios I to Xerxes II, circa 485-420 BC. Daric (Gold, 12 mm, 8.31 g), Sardes. Persian king in the running-kneeling position to right, holding transverse spear in his right hand and bow in his left; quiver over his shoulder. Rev. Oblong irregular incuse. BMC Arabia pl. XXIV, 26. Carradice Type IIIb A/B and pl. XIII, 27. A wonderful, beautifully struck example. By far the finest example we have ever seen. Virtually as struck. From the Ravenel Collection, USA, ex Nomos 11, 9 October 2015, 119, previously from a collection in the USA. Persian darics were produced in huge numbers for use in the western part of the Empire. They were struck rapidly, often using worn dies, and had a considerable amount of circulation. The quality of the present piece is very unusual: it must have been carefully struck from absolutely fresh dies, and it must have been put into storage almost immediately thereafter.