2023 Cook Islands 1 Oz Silver Sparta Coin

One of the great city-states of ancient Greece, Sparta had a reputation for expertise in hoplite warfare — waged with long spears and round wood-and-bronze shields — that dated back to the Messenian War in the 9th century BC. During the centuries afterwards, its reputation grew, burnished by an undeniable talent for propaganda that was able to turn even defeats like the Battle of Thermopylae during the Greco-Persian War into moral victories. For a brief time in the next century, Sparta stood at the apex of power in the Greek world, but although the city-state soon faded from prominence, its carefully cultivated myth of invincibility lived on.  Coin Highlights: Comes in an original mint capsule with a Certificate of Authenticity! Issued in 2023! Limited mintage of just 1,500 coins! Contains 1 Troy oz of .9999 pure silver. Face value of $5 (NZD), legal tender of the Cook Islands. Obverse side features the artwork of the mythic Helen of Troy. Reverse side shows Spartan hoplites accompani