These proof-like rounds were supposed to be a members-only item for 2014, not for sale to the general public or available through authorized dealers. Mintage was limited to 250. The mint produced 16 more than were needed, and their error was not discovered until a year and a half later. We bought all of them, and they are now available so you can fill in your Silver Shield collection. The Argyraspides, so called because they used silver plated shields, were a division of the Macedonian Army under Alexander the Great. They were hand picked men commanded by Nicanor, son of Parmenion and were held in high regard by Alexander. Originally they were a type of soldier called Hypaspists or "shield bearers". They were made up of older men but they were one of Alexander the Great's most feared units. Regarding this coin, the coin creator Chris Duane says: "The short story behind it is that throughout all of history and 2/3 of the world today, 1/10 of an ounce of silver represents 1 days labour. Roman soldiers were paid a denarius for each day they served the Roman Legion. In Sun Tzu's the Art of War a 10000 man army could be bought for a 1000 ounces of silver a day. And even 2/3 of the world today lives off of less than $2 a day."

These rounds ship in a coin capsule held in a Silver Shield branded box. They do not have a COA.