Silver Coin Naval Battles - Battle of Salamina 2 Oz High Relief 2019 Antique Standard

Sea Battle - The Battle of Salamis 2 Oz

An exclusive silver coin issued by the State of Niue in 2019 in high relief weighing 2 Oz (62.2 g) in purity of the purest 99.9% silver with an Antique Standard finish is released as part of the Sea Battle series, commemorating famous naval engagements. The theme of the first coin is the pivotal Battle of Salamis from the Greco-Persian Wars.

The reverse of the coin presents an image of the dramatic clash from the perspective of the Greek troops. The triremes are dominated by rows of rowers in the hold, with soldiers in typical antique armour, helmets with chocholos and rounded shields attacking above them. In the depth of the scene, sinking ships and part of the Persian fleet are captured. A lapacho wood insert with a dolphin motif, a symbol of protection for sailors and navigation, is set into the upper part of the coin. The inscription 'THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS' appears at the bottom edge of the coin. The rim is decorated with a traditional Greek design.
In 480 BC, after the simultaneous defeat at the Battle of Thermopylae and the naval battle of Artemisia, the Persians occupied a large part of Greek territory. Greece was in danger of becoming part of the Persian empire. The navy withdrew to the island of Salamis in the Saronic Gulf, about 20 km west of Athens. During the negotiations of the Greek warlords, Athens was also captured and the guards and inhabitants who remained in the city were slaughtered. Shaken, the Greek warlords grappled with the question of where to conduct the inevitable battle. Most preferred the open sea at Corinth. The battle was finally decided by the Athenian Themistocles, who proposed to fight at the meeting place in Eleusinian Bay near Salamis. During the negotiations, he sent a messenger to the Persian camp with a message to attack the unprepared Greeks without delay. The Persians heeded the call and surrounded the Greek fleet in the morning. Instead of the expected retreat, the Greek ships regrouped and prepared for battle. The bay in which the battle took place was too narrow and the large Persian fleet, composed of heavy warships, was unable to maneuver quickly. In contrast, the light Greek triremes were at an advantage, and were ramming the Persian ships. The Persians also inflicted heavy losses on themselves. In the confusion that ensued, their ships crashed into each other and sank with their crews. The Persians, although still outnumbered, withdrew from the battle after the first day. The conquerors thus lost an important link with the land army, which was defeated the following year at the Battle of Plataea.

The obverse of the coin bears a map of the Saronic Gulf area showing the movements of the warring fleets. The map incorporates the traditional portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain with the initials of the artist. On the rim of the coin are the inscriptions "ELIZABETH II", "NIUE", the face value, the year of issue, the purity data and the mint mark.

The coin comes in a luxury wooden box with a numbered certificate of authenticity in a limited edition of only 500 pieces for the whole world!