Coin | Silver Kilo 2023 Britannia Memorial |
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Saint Helena 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 very large silver kilogram (1 kg silver) format, denominated variously as £1, £5 or £50.
This coin is part of a Britannia memorial range dedicated to the memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
The mint says about it: Now, as Britain remembers its longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death, Britannia is once again in mourning in tribute to Her late Majesty’s lifetime of dutiful service and commitment to modernising the ancient British monarchy. Much like Britannia, Her Majesty will forever be remembered as a female icon, steadfast and true, an enduring national symbol of pride, grace and beauty.
The reign of Queen Elizabeth II was one of rapid modernisation, as the post-war years gave way to the vibrant fashion, music, film and creativity that has dominated the cultural landscape since the 1960s. Britannia also adapted to reflect the ever-changing world of the nation’s longest reigning monarch, moving in step with the evolving nature of Britain and her people, the epitome of ‘Cool Britannia’.
Britannia also holds a long association with British coinage, first appearing on farthings issued in 1672. She was a constant presence on the nation’s coins until 2008, when a new set of definitive designs were revealed that did not feature this great female symbol of British identity.
The coin’s design is inspired by an illustration from an issue of The Sphere magazine released in 1910 upon the death of Her late Majesty’s great-grandfather, King Edward VII. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin shows the bare (uncrowned) head of King Charles III facing left.
In tiny letters on the neck truncation, the artist's initials: GD (for Glyn Davies).
Around, the monarch's legend followed by the face value and date of issue: CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · ST. HELENA · 50 POUNDS · 2023 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena.
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Reverse | |
The reverse design shows Britannia, the female personification of the United Kingdom, standing, wearing a Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face, and a cape. With her right hand, she supports a trident - a symbol of British maritime history, and holds the national flag lowered in mourning. Behind her, a shield carrying the design of the national flag (known as the "Union Jack").
In the left field, the Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II: the letters E II R (for Elizabeth II Regina), crowned with St. Edward's Crown.
Below, the years of the Queen's life: 1926 - 2022.
Around the rim, the inscription O SERVES ANIMÆ DIMIDIUM MEÆ. Translated from Latin, it means "Oh, preserve her who is the half of my soul", and was used on a medal issued in 1695 to commemorate the death of Queen Mary II, which left her husband King William III the sole ruler of England.
Below left, the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated. |
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Reverse Inscription |
E II R 1926 - 2022 O SERVES ANIMÆ DIMIDIUM MEÆ |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: Proof FDC. Packaging: in presentation box, with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. East India Company SKU: FG23BMESP1KG. Release price: £3,295.00. |
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See also |
Coins issued in memory of Queen Elizabeth II include (ordered by metal / size / country): - 1 oz Platinum Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 1 kg Gold Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 10 oz Gold Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 5 oz Gold Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 2 oz Gold Proof, Britannia Memorial, Saint Helena 2023 - 2 oz Gold Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Queen Elizabeth II Memorial, Malta 2022 - 1 oz Gold Bullion, Icon - Queen Elizabeth II, Niue 2023 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Queen Elizabeth II - In Tribute, Niue 2022 - 1 oz Gold Proof, Britannia Memorial, Saint Helena 2023 - 1 oz Gold Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 1/4 oz Gold Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 0.5 g Gold Proof, Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam, Barbados 2022 - 0.5 g Gold Proof, Remembering Queen Elizabeth II, Congo (Democratic Republic) - 0.5 g Gold Proof, In Memoriam Queen Elizabeth II, Cook Islands 2022 - 1 kg Silver Proof, Remembering Queen Elizabeth II, Cameroon 2022 - 1 kg Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II Memorial, Malta 2022 - 1 kg Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II, Niue 2022 - 1 kg Silver Proof, Britannia Memorial, Saint Helena 2023 - 1 kg Silver Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 10 oz Silver Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 5 oz Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam, Barbados 2022 - 5 oz Silver Proof, Britannia Memorial, Saint Helena 2023 - 5 oz Silver Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - 2 oz Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II Memorial, Malta 2022 - 2 oz Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II, Niue 2022 - 2 oz Silver Proof, Britannia Memorial, Saint Helena 2023 - 1 oz Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam, Barbados 2022 - 1 oz Silver Proof, In Memoriam Queen Elizabeth II, Cook Islands 2022 - 1 oz Silver Bullion, Icon - Queen Elizabeth II, Niue 2023 - 1 oz Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II, Niue 2022 - 1 oz Silver Proof Gilded, Queen Elizabeth II - In Tribute, Niue 2022 - 1 oz Silver Proof, Queen Elizabeth II (Royal Effigies), Niue 2022 - 1 oz Silver (Bullion and Proof), Britannia Memorial, Saint Helena 2023 - 1 oz Silver Proof, In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - £5 (with silver, gold and platinum versions), In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - $1 (copper), Queen Elizabeth II (Royal Effigies), Niue 2022 - 50 Cents (with silver version), Elizabeth Regina, Australia 2023 - 50 Pence (w/ silver, gold, platinum versions), In Memory of Queen Elizabeth II, United Kingdom 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - Double Portrait, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1927, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1935, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1937, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1947 (Military), Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1947 (Wedding), Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1949, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1951, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1953, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1955, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1970, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1987, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 1992, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 2003, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 2011, Barbados 2022 - Quarter Dollar (gold plated), Queen Elizabeth II - In Memoriam - 2016, Barbados 2022
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