A rare golden coin depicting King Darius I the Great (522–486 BC) has been unearthed in North Khorasan Province, Iran.

The artifact was unexpectedly found inside a car after an accident, when the injured driver’s refusal of hospital treatment raised police suspicions, leading to a search of the vehicle.

The discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the lingering presence of Achaemenid royal iconography and craftsmanship, and it underscores how priceless relics of ancient Persia continue to surface in the most unusual circumstances.