Silver Three Hundred Grams 2021 Spartan Helmet, Coin from Solomon Islands - detailed information

Apart from its regular circulating coinage, Solomon Islands has authorised a number of mints to issue collector coins in precious metals, which are legal tender in the country but are not intended for general circulation. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes - including in the large ten troy ounces (10oz) of silver format. These are usually dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to the country itself.

This specially shaped coin (which is slightly smaller than 10 ounces) represents an Ancient Spartan helmet.

The Spartan army stood at the centre of the Spartan state, citizens trained in the disciplines and honour of a warrior society. Subject to military drill from early manhood, the Spartans became one of the most feared military forces in the Greek world. At the height of Sparta's power - between the 6th and 4th centuries BC - it was commonly accepted by other Greeks that "one Spartan was worth several men of any other state". According to Thucydides, the famous moment of Spartan surrender on the island of Sphacteria, off Pylos, in 425 BC, was highly unexpected. He wrote that "it was the common perception at the time that Spartans would never lay down their weapons for any reason, be it hunger, or danger".