Perth Mint has been releasing World Famous War Coin series focussing on five notable engagements that changed the course of history, The Perth Mint’s Famous Battles Series portrays battlefield scenes spanning more than two millennia. The first coin of the world famous war coin series is the Battle of Thermopylae. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought in a narrow pass in northern Greece between the invading Persian Empire under King Xerxes and a vastly outnumbered alliance of Greek city-states commanded by King Leonidas of Sparta. It took place over three days during the second Persian invasion of Greece. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle at Artemisium, in August or September 480 BC, at the pass of Thermopylae ('The Hot Gates'). This coin already sold out a few month back.
The Persian army, alleged by the ancient sources to have numbered in the millions, arrived at the pass in late August or early September. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held up the Persians for seven days in total (including three of battle), before the rear-guard was annihilated in one of history's most famous last stands. During two full days of battle, the small force led by King Leonidas I of Sparta blocked the only road by which the massive Persian army could pass. After the second day of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a small path that led behind the Greek lines. Aware that they were being outflanked, Leonidas dismissed the bulk of the Greek army, and remained to guard the rear with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, 400 Thebans and perhaps a few hundred others, the vast majority of whom were killed. The courageous last stand by Leonidas inspired the united Greeks to ultimate victory in ensuing battles, thereby securing the rise of classical Greece, with its innovative ideas on politics, philosophy and the arts.
Photo by Wikimedia commons: Leonidas evlahosThis stunning coin celebrates one of the world’s Famous War–The Battle of Thermopylae. It is minted by Perth Mint and come with Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver. Each coin is housed in a silver presentation case and customised box shipper. No more than 5,000 of these coins will be released. A numbered Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each coin. This coin also issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu. Tuvalu (/tuːˈvɑːluː/ or /ˈtuːvəluː/), formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia.
Reverse: The coin’s reverse, which includes The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark, portrays a coloured image of Spartan warriors in classic phalanx formation. Struck elements of the design depict a Spartan warrior wearing a protective Corinthian helmet and metal cuirass, or breastplate, and a sword.
Obverse: Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu, the coin bears the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on its obverse.Technical Specifications:
Silver Content (Troy oz) 1
Monetary Denomination (TVD) 1
Fineness (% purity) 99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g) 31.135
Maximum Diameter (mm) 40.60
Maximum Thickness (mm) 4.00
Source: Wikipedia, Perth Mint
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