Niue – 2019 – 5 Dollars – Great Sea Battles: Salamis

The first coin of the new series “Sea Battles”. It will be dedicated to the largest and most important water battles.
The first coin of the series is dedicated to the Battle of Salamis.

This battle took place on 28 September 480 BC in the Saronic Gulf. Between Salamina and the coast of Attica Greek and Persian troops met. This battle is considered to be one of those that changed the course of history. The victory of the small Greek fleet over the predominantly Persian fleet decided the future of the war. This battle was of great strategic importance, which proved to be a turning point in the war. The Persian troops did not lose many of their ships, but they had to retreat, cutting off supplies from the troops ashore.

The reverse of the coin is decorated with a high relief with a beautiful engraving depicting the Greek troops battering the Persian fleet. The whole is surrounded by a typical Greek pattern. At the top of the coin there is an insert made of lapacho wood. It is the toughest species of exotic tree. On the insert there is an image of a dolphin – not without reason. For the ancient Greeks, dolphins were a symbol of providence, helping ships to overcome waves. People considered them as envoys of the gods.

The obverse of the coin shows the movement of troops taking part in the Persian War.