Saint Helena: Coins Issued and Used

The Saint Helena pound (also called simply "pound") is the currency of the Atlantic islands of Saint Helena and Ascension, which are constituents of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It is fixed at parity with the pound sterling.

The first coins were first introduced in 1821, in which copper Half Pennies were issued for Saint Helena by the East India Trading Company and these were used for a majority of the Company's influence in the area. During this period the island was also used as a penal ground for high-ranking political prisoners, including Napoleon Bonaparte. Circulating coinage for St. Helena would not be issued again for another 163 years, until 1984.

Prior to 1984, both Saint Helena and Ascension Island had issued non circulating commemorative coins (Saint Helena since 1973) but officially used British circulation coins. In 1976, circulating currency was introduced as banknotes (coins since 1984) which carries a legend naming both entities: "Saint Helena and Ascension Island". However, both of them also issue non-circulating coinage in their own separate names - such as "Saint Helena" only; these are issued for international coin collectors and not for use on the island.

British banknotes also circulate in the territory.