| Coin | Silver Ounce 2021 Napoleon - Monogram |
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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 popular silver ounce (1 oz silver) format, usually denominated as £1.
This silver ounce coin denominated as £1 is part of a commemorative range marking the 200th Anniversary since the death of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Mint says about it:
The bee was chosen by Napoleon Bonaparte as an icon that would create a link between his new dynasty and the ancient origins of France. In 1653, the tomb of Childeric I was discovered in the Belgian town of Tournai. Childeric I was the first of the Merovingian kings, along with his son Clovis considered the oldest sovereigns of what we now know as France. Alongside his remains were 300 golden bees that had been buried with him as a symbol of immortality and resurrection. Bees have played a symbolic role in cultural beliefs as far back as the Ancient Egyptians, maybe even further still. The phrase "busy as a bee" captures the bee’s key traits: hard work, dedication, industry and order.
Napoleon recognised the power of these characteristics and saw the bee as his connection to the ancient Merovingian dynasty. His Golden Bees soon replaced the Fleur-de-lys, so synonymous with the Bourbon dynasty which had previously ruled France, as the key visual symbol of his new Empire. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth).
The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937.
Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders). In small letters on the left, the artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the rim is the monarch's legend, the date of issue and the face value: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REGINA · F · D · ST. HELENA · 1 POUND · 2021 ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Saint Helena.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design shows at its centre the N monogram of Napoleon Bonaparteentwined with floral motifs; it is surrounded by a crowned laurel wreath (symbol of victory) held at the bottom by an orb with a cross on top. In the background, a swarm of bees picked out in proof frosting.
Around above, divided by the crown, the inscription NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE.
Around below, the dates of Napoleon's life 1769 - 1821, followed by the EIC mint mark of the East India Company - the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated. A single bee forms a punctuation point in the coin’s outer circle, positioned opposite the East India Company mint mark. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE 1769 - 1821 |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
Packaging: in presentation box, with a Certificate of Authenticity.
East India Company SKU: FG21NANSP1OZ
Issue price: £99.00
There is another coin with almost identical design, but with a bee at centre instead of the N monogram. |
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| See also |
Coins issued for Napoleon's 200th Anniversary, in St Helena include:
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Napoleon's Angel, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Napoleon - Bees, 2021
- 1 oz Gold Proof, Napoleon - Monogram, 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof, Napoleon 200th Anniversary, 2021
- 0.5 g Gold Proof, Napoleon 200th Anniversary, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Proof, Napoleon 200th Anniversary, 2021
- 2 oz Silver Bullion, Napoleon 200th Anniversary, 2022
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Napoleon 200th Anniversary, 2021
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Napoleon's Angel, 2021
- 1 oz Silver Bullion, Napoleon's Angel, 2021
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Napoleon - Bees, 2021
- 1 oz Silver Proof, Napoleon - Monogram, 2021
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