| Coin | Silver Two Ounces 2022 St George and the Dragon - John Mercanti |
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Ascension Island is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean which is part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The currency of the island is the Saint Helena pound, fixed at parity with the pound sterling. The island has authorised some private mints to issue coins under its jurisdiction, which come in a variety of sizes - including in the popular silver two ounces (2 oz silver) format, usually denominated as £10.
This coin part of the third and final release in the Modern Masters Series of three new interpretations of the iconic Saint George and the Dragon design by Benedetto Pistrucci which first appeared on a gold sovereign in 1817, and is designed by John Mercanti.
The mint says about it:
When John Mercanti retired as the 12th Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, he had accomplished one of the most storied careers in the Mint’s history. He had served as an engraver-sculptor for 37 years and had designed, sculpted, or engraved more than 100 coin and medal designs, more than any other designer in the history of the U.S. Mint! It should come as no surprise then, that when a program was finalized that would see a trio of modern mint masters independently re-imaging one of the most famous coin designs in numismatic history that Mercanti was at the top of the list! |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown and the Victoria Coronation necklace worn for her Coronation. This is her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide and "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, in "uncouped" version - showing the Queen's shoulders and not terminating at the neck as the normal version.
On the left, in small letters on the Queen's shoulder, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend and the face value: ELIZABETH II · ASCENSION ISLAND · TEN POUNDS ·.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design features a modern depiction of St. George preparing to battle the dragon. The saint is depicted on horseback, advancing to right, holding a raised sword in his right hand. He wears chainmail with a breastplate decorated with a cross, and is bare-headed and bearded. The dragon is in the background, his head raised and his wings open.
The designer's initials, JM (for John Mercanti) are below centre, above the saint's hand.
The date of issue 2022 is near the rim around below. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: in black presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. |
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| See also |
Coins in the Modern Masters series include:
- 1 oz Gold, Saint George and the Dragon - by Jody Clark, 2022
- 5 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon - by Jody Clark, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon - by Jody Clark, 2022
- 1 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon - by Jody Clark, 2022
- 1 oz Gold, Saint George and the Dragon - by Natanya Van Niekerk, 2022
- 5 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon - by Natanya Van Niekerk, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon - by Natanya Van Niekerk, 2022
- 5 oz Gold, Saint George and the Dragon - by John Mercanti, 2022
- 1 oz Gold, Saint George and the Dragon - by John Mercanti, 2022
- 5 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon - by John Mercanti, 2022
- 2 oz Silver, Saint George and the Dragon - by John Mercanti, 2022
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