2672) Pompei, Republic of Palau: "Fury of Nature Coin Series": The first Coin in the Series depicts the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which struck the twin towns of Pompei and Herculaneum: Date of Coin issue: 02/2023:
This is the first issue in Palau’s ‘Fury of Nature Coin Series'.
History:
Pompeii was an ancient city located in what is now the commune of Pompei near Naples in the Campania region of Italy built on a lava plateau from ancient eruptions of the Vesuvius volcano about 8 kilometers away.
Phoenicians and Greeks used the local harbour for trade but during the centuries Pompeii was loyal to Rome.
In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted with so much gas, ash and stones that the surrounding villages didn’t have any time to evacuate.
Pompeii, along with Herculaneum and many villas in the surrounding area (e.g., at Boscoreale, Stabiae), was buried under 4.00 to 6.00 m (13.00 ft to 20.00 ft) of volcanic ash and pumice in the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Largely preserved under the ash, the excavated city offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried, although much of the detailed evidence of the everyday life of its inhabitants was lost in the excavations.
It was a wealthy town, with a population of around 11,000 in AD 79, having many fine public buildings and luxurious private houses with lavish decorations, furnishings and works of art which were the main attractions for the early excavators.
Organic remains, including wooden objects and human bodies, were interred in the ash.
Over time, they decayed, leaving voids that archaeologists found could be used as Moulds to make plaster casts of unique, and often gruesome, figures in their final moments of life.
The numerous graffiti carved on the walls and inside rooms provide a wealth of examples of the largely lost Vulgar Latin spoken colloquially at the time, contrasting with the formal language of the classical writers.
After many excavations prior to 1960 that had uncovered most of the city but left it in decay, further major excavations were banned or limited to targeted, prioritised areas.
In 2018, these led to new discoveries in some previously unexplored areas of the city.
Pompeii is presently a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, with approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.
Adds the Book titled "TREASURES OF THE WORLD" - a complete guide to the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES) in my personal library:
"The remains of the towns of Pompei and Herculaneum, buried by the eruption of Vesivus on 24.08.79 AD provide a complete and vivid picture of society and daily life at a specific moment in the past that is without parallel anywhere in the world.
When Vesuvius erupted it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns and many wealthy villas in the area. Since the mid eighteenth century these have been progressively excavated and made accessible to the public.
The vast expanse of the commercial town of Pompei contrasts with the smaller but better-preserved remains of the holiday resort of Herculaneum, while the superb wall paintings of the Villa Oplontis at Torre Annunziata give a vivid impression of the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthier citizens of the Early Roman Empire.
The main forum of Pompei is flanked by the foundations of several imposing public buildings including the Capitolium (Temple), Basilica (courthouse), and public baths.
Pompei is renowned for its domestic buildings, ranged along well-paved streets. The earliest type is the atrium house of which the House of the Surgeon, entirely inward looking with a courtyard at its centre, is a good example.
The exceptional Villa dei Misteri House of the Mysteries) takes its name from the wall paintings in the Triclinium (dining room) that depicts the initiation rites ("mysteries") of the cult of Dionysus.
A special characteristic of Pompei is its wealth of graffiti. An election was immenent at the time of the eruption and many slogans were scrawled on walls along with other graffiti of a more personal, often scurrilous nature.
Much less of Herculaneum, built on a promontory overlooking the Bay of Naples, has been uncovered, partly because of the depths to which it is buried. However, the nature of its covering is such that the buildings are better preserved than those of Pompei.
There are several impressive public buildings, and the houses are also remarkable for their extent and decoration. Those fronting on the sea, such as the House of the Deer, have large courtyards and rich decoration.
The town is noteworthy for the completeness of its shops, still containing fittings such as enormous wine jars.
Of great importance to both towns are the artistic styles represented by sculptures, mosaics and abloe all, wall paintings.
Pompei was founded by the southern Italian Osci (Opicians) in the sixth century BC, while Herculaneum was believed to have been founded by Hercules. They fell to the Romans in 89 BC.
Both towns came to an abrupt and catastrophic end on 24th August AD 79. The area had recently been shaken by an earthquake and reconstruction work was in progress when Vesuvius erupted with tremendous violence. Pompei was buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash and stone and Herculaneum disappeared under a pyroclastic flow of volcanic mud."
The Coin:
The specifications of the Silver coin are:
Country: Republic of Palau; Year of Coin issue: 2023; Denomination: $10 (Ten Dollars); Coin Series Theme: "Fury of Nature"; Coin Theme: "Vesuvius Volcanic Eruption & the devastation of Pompei"; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 2.00 Oz or 62.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 45.00 mm; Modifications: Smartminting Ultra High Relief (UHR); Coin Quality: Antique Finish with a colour motif; Mintage: 555 pieces.
- The coin is delivered with - a Capsule, Deluxe Presentation Box, Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
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