Silver, which was the general medium of exchange in Persia, must have been especially plentiful.

It was probably yielded, not only by the Kerman mines, but also by those of Armenia, Asia Minor, and the Elburz.

Copper was obtained in great abundance from Cyprus, as well as from Carmania; and it may have been also derived, as it is now in very large quantities, from Armenia.

Iron, really the most precious of all metals, existed within the Persian territory in the shape of huge boulders, as well as in nodules and in the form of ironstone.

Lead was procurable from Bactria, Armenia, Korman, and many parts of Affghanistan; orpiment from Bactria, Kerman, and the Hazareh country; antimony from Armenia, Affghanistan, and Media; hornblende, quartz, talc, and asbestos, from various places in the Taurus.
Of all necessary minerals probably none was so plentiful and so widely diffused as salt.