Treasure Discovery: Archaeologists unearth pot overflowing with Gold Coins in Turkey

The front and back of a gold coin display an image of a crouched archer. Persian darics, gold coins minted by the Persian Empire, also feature this design. (Image: Notion Archaeological Project, University of Michigan)

Archaeologists have uncovered a pot filled with ancient Greek coins in Turkey. The find was made in a room beneath a house in Notion, an ancient Greek city in western Turkey. The gold coins feature the image of a kneeling archer, similar to the Persian daric, a gold coin used by the Persian Empire. Experts believe the coins were likely minted in Sardis, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northeast of Notion.

Significance and Speculation

Researchers think the hoard might have been used by mercenaries as payment, but the reason for its burial remains uncertain. “Finding such a valuable hoard in a controlled excavation is very rare,” said Christopher Ratté, a professor of ancient Mediterranean art and archaeology at the University of Michigan and director of the Notion Archaeological Survey. “No one buries a hoard of precious coins without intending to recover it. Only severe misfortune could explain the preservation of such a treasure.”

The coins are believed to date back to the fifth century B.C., which will help archaeologists piece together the sequence of events leading to their burial. “This hoard will provide a crucial date to help fix the timeline of the entire sequence of coins,” Ratté explained. “According to Greek historian Xenophon, a single daric was worth a soldier’s monthly pay.”

Historical Context

An aerial view of the house highlights the locations of the coins and other artifacts, such as pottery shards. (Image: Notion Archaeological Project)

The site has also revealed pottery fragments from the fifth century B.C., hidden in earlier walls of the house, which dates back to the Hellenistic period. Notion was part of the Persian Empire in the sixth century B.C. and was later freed from Persian control in the early fifth century B.C., only to be reintegrated into the empire in the fourth century B.C. Between 430 and 427 B.C., Persian sympathizers and Greek and "barbarian" mercenaries occupied Notion. During this time, Athenian general Paches killed pro-Persian mercenaries, leading to the expulsion of Persian sympathizers as the Athenians took control of the city.

Ratté suggested that these historical events might have contributed to the burial and eventual loss of the coin hoard.