The story of the Russian invasion of Ukraine was, in the invaders’ rhetoric, supposed to be about the country’s swift fall to a superior war machine in the space of a fortnight. Instead, the story has turned out to be one of inspired and resourceful Ukrainian resistance. One of the most famous such stories came from the sprawling steelworks of Azovstal in the latter days of the Siege of Mariupol, where eighty days of determined resistance bogged down an apparently overwhelmingly Russian force. This event is symbolically commemorated by the 2022 Antique Niue Warrior of Azovstal 2 oz Silver Coin.

Highlights:

• Arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity in custom box packaging and a high-quality presentation case!
• Issued in 2022!
• Limited mintage of only 333 pieces worldwide!
• Contains 2 Troy oz of .999 pure silver with high-relief artwork and an Antique finish.
• Carries a face value of $5 (NZD), backed by of Niue Island.
• Obverse side features Niue’s coat of arms.
• Reverse side features the symbolic “Warrior of Azovstal.”

The 2022 Antique Niue Warrior of Azovstal Silver Coin showcases high-relief sculptural artwork with extensive detail accentuated by an antiqued fiinish. It comes in a presentation case inside custom box packaging, and each piece comes with its own Certificate of Authenticity.

Obverse

Niue’s coat of arms features on the coin’s obverse side, along with realistic images of the kinds of bullet holes and metal tearing that became regular sights in the battle for Azovstal. This is surrounded at the rim by the inscriptions “NIUE ISLAND,” “5 DOLLARS,” ,”2 oz,” “2022,” and “Ag 999.”

Reverse

The Warrior of Azovstal is a representation of the defenders of Mariupol’s great steelworks. Subtly colorized and rendered in the style of a medieval warrior, his armor shows detailed and high-relief engraved imagery of the steelworks, and he’s set against a red background with touches of white and black. This is accompanied by the inscription “WARRIOR OF AZOVSTAL.”

History

The Siege of Mariupol was a determined Russian effort to conquer a major port and industrial center on the Azov Sea. Late in this campaign, thousands of Ukrainian troops found themselves cut off and surrounded and seemed doomed: but bolstered by air drops and a continued trickle of reinforcements, they held out heroically — defending the Azovstal steelworks — for eighty days more. The symbolic “Warrior of Azovstal” represents this achievement.

Ordering

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