AP841 - Niue 2008 $5 Gdansk Amber Route Gold Proof
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An exceptional release from the Polish Mint - thought by many to be Europe's most technologically advanced issuing authority - these superbly designed legal tender gold coins are embedded with a genuine piece of beautiful, sought after amber.
A transparent semiprecious 'stone' produced from the resin of ancient conifers, amber was crucial to the creation of these trade routes. Used for thousands of years for decorative and jewellery applications amber was highly prized by many societies, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Etruscans and especially the Romans.
Indeed, Baltic amber changed the course of Roman history, with Rome's willingness to travel into barbarian strongholds in search of the precious material opening up northern trade routes that previously had not been exploited. This second issue honours one of those cities, Gdansk. Located in the north of Poland by the Baltic Sea, Gdansk was established in the year 997 and served firstly as a stronghold before developing into a town.
In the upper right on the reverse side of this silver coin is the inscription for the town of Gdansk. To the left is the medieval port crane called Zuraw, located at Motlawa River in Gdansk. To the lower right of that is the image of the Neptune with his pitch fork, standing over various sea creatures. Below and to the left is the image of ancient coin, the type used to pay for amber in those times, while above that is a genuine amber insert. Around the rim to the far left is the inscription "SZLAK BURSZTYNOWY" (Amber Route).
The Obverse has an effigy of Queen Elizabeth, alongside a replica of a horse and cart used to transport amber along the trade route. In the background is a map of the Baltic coastal region. The denomination and country of issue are also found on this side.
Given the innovative concept, strong historical theme and flawless antique Proof quality, the mintage of the Gold $5 (just 2,000) is surprisingly small. Although guaranteed an allocation due to our role as official distributor for the Poland Mint, our stocks are strictly limited and we are sure to sell out. The first edition in this series, dedicated to the Russian town of Kaliningrad, sold out at an unexpectedly rapid rate.
Each coin is supplied encapsulated with a Certificate of Authenticity.
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