Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees, Coin from Saint Helena - detailed information

Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees, Coin from Saint Helena
CoinSilver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees

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 silver two ounces (2 oz silver) format, usually denominated as £2.

This silver two-ounce premium bullion coin denominated as £2 is part of a commemorative range marking the 200th Anniversary since the death of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Mint says about it:
Napoleon Bonaparte built an Empire across Europe before defeat at Waterloo in 1815 saw him exiled to St Helena, a peaceful island owned at the time by the East India Company. He lived out his final years on St Helena until his death in 1821. To mark the 200th Anniversary of Napoleon’s death, we pay tribute to his time on St Helena and celebrate the icon that came to symbolise his Empire; the humble but powerful bee.

When Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, he was keen to replace the remnants of the fallen Bourbon dynasty, including their emblem, the Fleur du Lys. He learned about the discovery of the tomb of Childeric I, king of the Merovingian Franks, and the 300 tiny gold bees that were found buried alongside his remains as a symbol of immortality. The bee is symbolic of harmony, working together for a bigger cause. Napoleon recognised these characteristics and used the golden bee in his Coat of Arms, coronation robes and on the wallpaper and carpets of his palaces. It was a key icon of an Empire which spread across Europe until Napoleon’ final defeat at Waterloo.

After his death in 1821, Napoleon was buried on St Helena, where he had been living in exile since 1815. His remains were eventually returned to France in 1840, transported by a magnificent cortege upon which, according to newspaper reports, “on both sides hung two velvet imperial mantles, sprinkled with bees".

MintEast India Company (modern) Mint MarkEIC Total Mintageunknown
Obverse
Saint Helena / Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.

Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).

Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 2022 · £2 · TWO OUNCES 999 SILVER ·.

Note that the face value is abbreviated as £2, and the inscription also shows the precious metal content (unlike on the proof version).

The background has a decorative geometric pattern of small bees.

Obverse Inscription ST. HELENA · QUEEN ELIZABETH II · 2022 · £2 · TWO OUNCES 999 SILVER ·
Reverse
Saint Helena / Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees - reverse photo

The reverse design shows a bee, a symbol of industry and harmony that connected Napoleon Bonaparte’s new Empire to the kings of ancient French history, 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. The crown on top is the one used at Napoleon’s coronation in 1804, an interpretation of the ancient crown of Charlemagne which was lost during the French Revolution.

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.

Reverse Inscription NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE 1769 - 1821
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).

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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Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees: Details
CountrySaint Helena
CurrencySaint Helena Pound
Coin TypeSilver Two Ounces (2 oz), Bullion
Issued2022
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait, by Raphael Maklouf
Face Value2 (x Pound)
Mintageunknown
CurrentYes
Material0.999 Silver
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size40.0000 mm
Mass62.2000 g
OCC IDPMVR-EAPC-RQAR-ONQG
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Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees: Photos
ImageDetails
Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees: Photo Saint Helena 2 oz Silver Napoleon Bee Coin / thumbnail Saint Helena 2 oz Silver Napoleon Bee Coin
Copyright: Birch Gold Group
Source
Silver Two Ounces 2022 Napoleon - Bees: Photo Saint Helena 2 oz Silver Napoleon Bee Coin / thumbnail Saint Helena 2 oz Silver Napoleon Bee Coin
Copyright: Birch Gold Group
Source