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2016 Niue Forgotten Cities - Babylon Silver Proof Coin, Minted by the New Zealand Mint (TAX Exempt)
The forgotten city of Babylon, once famous for its opulent buildings, canals and the incredible "Hanging Gardens" was located near modern-day Baghdad. The ruins of the once great city of the "Gate of the Gods" were uncovered in the late 19th century and attracted visitors from around the world. This beautiful Fine Silver engraved coin is the fifth and final release in the Forgotten Cities coin collection from New Zealand Mint, following on from Machu Picchu, Petra, Angkor and Pompeii. The ruins of the forgotten city of Babylon are located less than 100 km (60 miles) southwest of modern-day Baghdad. The eventful known history of Babylon begins in the era of the influential and visionary King Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC), who transformed a small city into undoubtedly the most powerful and influential in all of Mesopotamia. Famous for its opulent buildings, canals and the incredible "Hanging Gardens", Babylon also boasted a reputation of being a centre of learning and culture as well as being the original source for a code of law, pre-dating the Mosaic Law. The long history of decline began in 539 BC when the empire fell to the Persians in a clever scheme, which saw the Euphrates River being diverted, allowing the Persian Army enter the city. Babylon later succumbed to the power of Alexander the Great (331 BC), and to the Parthian Empire (141 BC) after which, it became deserted and forgotten. The city steadily fell into ruin and whatever remained, became buried in sand, until the 19th century when German archaeologist Robert Koldewey uncovered the ruins of the once great city of the "Gate of the Gods". Specifications: Coin Metal: 999 Fine Silver Coin Weight: 1 oz Coin Finish: Proof Coin Diameter: 40mm (Nominal) Coin Edge: Milled Coin Denomination: $2 Year of Issue: 2016 Coin Mintage: 2,000 Effigy: Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Country of Issue: Niue
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