The collection of Molon Labe-themed silver rounds from Intaglio Mint continues to evolve. The collection features 1 oz silver and 2 oz silver rounds with BU and antique options available. More impressively, the series features three different obverse designs that capture the defiant attitude of the Spartan Army. Today, 2 oz Silver Molon Labe Rounds of the Type III design are available to you at Silver.com.
Round Highlights:
- Available to ship inside of individual flips or tubes for orders of 10 rounds!
- Third design and latest issue in the Molon Labe series!
- Consists of Two Troy ounces of .999 fine silver.
- Obverse side depicts a Spartan warrior shield himself from a volley of arrows.
- Reverse includes the Intaglio Mint logo.
The Battle of Thermopylae occurred during the second Persian invasion of Greece in the 5th century BC. The city-states of Greece were led by King Leonidas, who, when offered a chance by Xerxes I to surrender and live, responded with the phrase molon labe. The Spartans were forever remembered after this battle for one of the greatest sacrifices in military history, standing to the last man to slow the Persians and aid their Greek allies.
All 2 oz Silver Molon Labe Rounds available here come either in a protective plastic flip for individual purchases or inside of tubes of 5 to 10 rounds. This is the Type III design in the series and it shows the odds which were stacked against the Spartans as the small group of 300 elite fighters who remained behind tried to hold off an army of 150,000 Persian warriors.
On the obverse side of the 2 oz Silver Molon Labe Rounds, a Spartan warrior takes a knee amidst the bodies of dozens of dead Persian soldiers as his spear is lowered to his side and his shield is raised overhead to protect him from a wave of arrows. When Leonidas refused to lay down his arms, he challenged the Persians to come and take them away themselves. The phrase molon labe loosely translates as “having come, take.”
You can see in this design that the Persians underestimated the ability and resolve of the Spartans at first. When the Persian forces threatened to block out the sun with the massive volley of arrows, Leonidas is said to have scoffed at his soldiers’ concerns. When one of his men voiced this concern, Leonidas again responded with a quick wit by saying “Won’t it be nice then, if we shall have shade in which to fight them?” That very moment of bravery and defiance is captured in the obverse design of these rounds.
The reverse side of all 2 oz Silver Molon Labe rounds includes the Intaglio Mint’s logo. There are two different background fields on this side. The center has a radial sunburst, while the outer design rim has a stippled background.
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