Silver Coin 5 Oz Lost Civilizations - Phoenicia and Carthage Ultra high relief 2022 Antique Standard

Lost Civilizations - Phoenicia & Carthage - 5 Oz Ultra High Relief

A unique silver and partially coloured coin, issued by the State of Palau for 2022, weighing 5 Oz (155.5 g) of the purest 99.9% silver, with an Antique Standard finish and extra high relief, is part of the "Lost Civilizations" series, which features Phoenicia and her colony of Carthage on the second coin.

The reverse side of the coin brings back to life the main street of Tyre in Phoenicia. It depicts the still extant triumphal arch under which a magnificent chariot passes. Merchants, vendors and dyers, producing the precious Tyrian purple, are busy. Fabrics in the rich colours of nacho, blue and yellow are selectively coloured. The new Smartminting embossing technology has made it possible to create ultra-high relief in remarkable fine detail.
Phoenicia was once a powerful civilization in what is now Lebanon. It was founded in the Classical era of antiquity around 2,500 BC. Among its most important cities were Tyre, Byblos and Sidon. The Phoenicians were skilled traders in natural resources. They excelled in shipbuilding and maritime navigation. They founded colonial cities on their voyages around the Mediterranean. They offered shelter to ships and also served as trading hubs, paying royalties to their founders. The most famous Phoenician colony was Carthage, which grew into a prosperous metropolis.
The ships of Phoenician merchants were heralded from afar by sails in the colour of the Tyrian nave. The source of the purple pigment was very difficult to obtain. It was made from extracting the mucous secretions of sea snails. The rarity of the dye was reflected in the cost of the finished fabric, which only the upper classes could afford. For this reason, Phoenician purple is also known as imperial or royal purple.

The obverse uses a high relief Smartminting to create the figure of a Babylonian soldier with a horse in front of the city walls. Included is the state emblem of the Republic of Palau with the inscription "REPUBLIC OF PALAU", the year of issue and the denomination "$20".

The coin comes in a deluxe box along with a numbered certificate of authenticity, in a limited edition of only 149 pieces for the entire world!

Smartminting® is a revolutionary technology in modern numismatics. The greatest advantage is the dramatic and unsurpassed heights of relief combined with intricate detail. High and ultra-high relief is possible on both sides of the coin, and the top of the relief can be placed as close to the edge as possible. The conventional embossing process not only requires more material (higher weight), but more importantly, the highest point must be concentrated in the center of the coin, which does not reach the same height as with Smartminting® technology. Another bonus of Smartminting® technology is the highest quality Proof and coloured coins, of course the Antique Standard finish remains.