The Chess King grips his sword and stares menacingly at you, daring you to try and topple him on this. One troy ounce pure silver gem with a proprietary black proof finish! Tiny mintage of just 999! Get it while you can! All hail the king-the Chess King! Talisman World Coins and Medals is proud to bring you the literal King of Coins! This legal tender masterpiece is a spectacular ode to one of the oldest and most universally played games on Earth, chess! Why is chess so globally popular? Over 600 million people worldwide will play a game this year! Because it’s the purest of pure strategy games-there is absolutely no luck, no chance, and no hidden information. It’s you versus your opponent, locked in head to head mortal combat-the original game of thrones! Set to reign supreme over your collection, this standout pure silver dollar celebrates the most important piece in the game, the king. Sure, the king can’t do a whole hell of a lot, but if he dies, it’s game over for your opponent and all his other pieces. Guarantee yourself that checkmate with a phenomenal fusion of features that includes one troy ounce pure precious metal content and spectacular detailed engraving, united by the unique Black Proof finish. This absolutely superb design exudes power through its sublime symbolism. The crowned king stares intensely at you, gripping a sword with the King chess piece on the end of its hilt. The bright silver of the sword contrasts magnificently with the Black Proof background. The king’s regal attire features the checkered pattern of the chess board, while his pauldrons (shoulder armor) are appropriately in the form of an elaborate lion and dragon. Important heraldic symbols, the lion is “the king of the beasts”, while the dragon represents courage, nobility, strength and valour. With a tiny mintage of just 999 coins worldwide, coin collectors and fans of both chess and heraldry alike can compete to make the next move before time expires. Beautifully presented within a luxury presentation case and complete with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity, this sensational Chess King Pure Silver Black Proof is destined to occupy the crowning place in your collection! The Game of Kings. Known as “the Game of Kings”, chess has a long and rich history, having evolved over time to reach the intricate masterwork of strategy we know today. The origins of chess can be traced back to central Asia more than 1500 years ago. A recognizable version of chess called “chaturanga” was played in India before 600 AD. Chess then spread to Persia, and thence to the Muslim world after the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 600s. Traveling west to Europe via the Silk Road, chess derives its Western name from the Persian word “shah” (king). The word checkmate is derived from the Persian “shah mat” (the king is dead). The oldest known chess manual was in Arabic and dates to about 840 AD, titled. (The Book of Chess), written by al-Adli ar-Rumi (800-870 AD), a renowned Arab chess player. This manuscript is now lost, but is referenced in later works on chess. In Europe, the king became the largest piece, a reflection of its relative importance. Nonetheless, the king could move only one square per turn, albeit in any direction. Today, the popularity of chess continues unabated, with over 600 million people playing each year. The Queen’s Gambit. Who would have thought that a TV show about chess, of all things, could make such a splash? Well, that’s exactly what. Did, becoming Netflix’s most watched original series ever upon its release in 2020. The show, starring actress Anya Taylor-Joy, traces the rise of an emotionally troubled, drug addicted savant from the obscurity of a rural Kentucky orphanage to the top of the chess world in the 1950s and 60s. The real twist-this savant is a woman, at a time when a female grandmaster was a true rarity! Just like the game of chess itself. It ranked in Netflix’s top 10 most watched programs in over 90 countries around the globe. Please see above for a full description of the design. The proprietary black proof treatment lends an air of gravitas to the design, appropriate to this serious game of strategy. The legend KING denotes the theme. The public seal (coat of arms) of the island nation of Niue. The slogan ATUA NIUE TUKULAGI translates as “God, Niue Forever”. The date of issue and denomination also appear, while the legend 1 OZ 999 SILVER guarantees the weight and purity. The coin is encapsulated inside a luxurious clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and satin, and protected by a full color outer cardboard box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included. Image of the back side of the certificate is mint-supplied and for general reference only. Serial number on image is NOT indicative of the serial number you will receive! Proof with Proprietary Black Proof Finish. 999 Fine (Pure) Silver. Niue is a small island nation in the South Pacific. Although it is completely self-governing and independent, it remains in free association with New Zealand, a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, hence the portrait of the British monarch on most of its coinage. The country is located about 1,450 miles northeast of New Zealand. It is closest to Samoa, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. It is one of the largest coral islands in the world, with a total area of 260 square kilometers. Niueans are predominantly Polynesian; most are bilingual, speaking both Niuean and English.