Just as they did with their excellent Babylon two-ounce coin, the first in this ‘Lost Civilisations’ series, Numiscollect are releasing a bigger five-ounce version of the second, Phoenicia and Carthage. As before, there are no changes to the design or layout of the coin, it’s simply bigger, and with a mintage of just 149 pieces, considerably rarer.

An impressive series, utilising smartminted high-relief, with some subtle coloured highlights over an antiqued finish, it depicts these two great civilisations. Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians, but went on to become a great power in its own right, almost bringing the Roman Empire to an end. These were great trading empires, utilising the Mediterranean to move goods to the many peoples that skirted it, becoming rich in the process. The growth of the Roman Empire put an end to it, as it did so many others.

The reverse face depicts a marketplace, with merchants displaying brightly coloured textiles, in front of the triumphal arch in Tyre, ironically constructed by the Romans. It still stands today. The obverse features the ships that gave them the power to dominate the Mediterranean. Two of them are seen in Carthage harbour. A very attractive piece, rich with history rather than the usual mythology. It comes boxed with a COA and is available to order now.

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