Coin | Silver Ounce 2020 Siege of Brimstone Hill |
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Saint Kitts and Nevis is a sovereign island country in the Caribbean which uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) as its currency; it is the common currency of six independent states and two British Overseas Territories. The EC$ has both common and national issues. All common circulating coins are issued under the authority of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and have no issuing country specified on them. Separately, each member country can also strike coins bearing its national symbols; these coins are legal tender in all members states, and are usually commemorative or bullion not intended for general circulation. Most of the member states share the same monarch with the United Kingdom, so that the effigy of the monarch is displayed on the coins and banknotes of the currency.
Saint Kitts and Nevis has authorised some foreign mints to strike coins under its issuing authority for collector's purposes. Some of these are in popular bullion formats, such as one troy ounce (1 oz) of silver.
This coin is part of the third edition of the Eastern Caribbean 8 (EC8) series of premium bullion coins by the Scottsdale Mint, which has a new annual design for each country of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The 2020 design for Saint Kitts and Nevis features the Siege of Brimstone Hill.
The French invasion of Saint Kitts, also known as the Siege of Brimstone Hill, from 19 January to 13 February 1782, was a part of the American Revolutionary War. After landing on Saint Kitts, the French troops of the Marquis de Bouillé stormed and besieged the fortress of Brimstone Hill. The Comte de Grasse, who delivered de Bouillé's troops and supported the siege, was outmanoeuvred and deprived of his anchorage by Admiral Samuel Hood. Even though Hood's force was inferior by one-third, de Grasse was beaten off when he attempted to dislodge Hood. Hood's attempts to relieve the ongoing siege were unsuccessful, and the garrison capitulated after one month. About a year later, the Treaty of Paris restored Saint Kitts and adjacent Nevis to British rule. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coins shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
Normally, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley) are below the portrait when it is used; however, they are not displayed here.
The effigy is surrounded by a laurel wreath. The central circle has a frosted finish.
In the rim, within a plain border, around above the name of the issuing authority: EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK. Around below, the legend of the monarch, QUEEN ELIZABETH II.
Facing outward, around below left the precious metal content of the coin: 1 OZ .999 SILVER (one troy ounce of 99.9% silver); around below right, the face value TWO DOLLARS. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin shows 18th century troops advancing to Brimstone Hill, some on foot and some on horseback.
Around above, the name of the country: ST. KITTS & NEVIS, below which the date of issue 2020.
Around the rim below, SIEGE OF BRIMSTONE HILL. |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: bullion proof-like. Packaging: in capsule, with 5 coins in a sealed blister strip. |
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See also |
Coins issued in the Eastern Caribbean 8 (EC8) series in 2020 include: - Anguilla, 1 oz Gold, Coat of Arms of Anguilla, 2020 - Anguilla, 1 oz Silver, Coat of Arms of Anguilla, 2020 - Antigua and Barbuda, 1 oz Gold, Rum Runner, 2020 - Antigua and Barbuda, 1 oz Silver, Rum Runner, 2020 - Dominica, 1 oz Gold, Hummingbird, 2020 - Dominica, 1 oz Silver, Hummingbird, 2020 - Grenada, 1 oz Gold, Caribbean Reef Octopus, 2020 - Grenada, 1 oz Silver, Caribbean Reef Octopus, 2020 - Montserrat, 1 oz Gold, Montserrat Oriole, 2020 - Montserrat, 1 oz Silver, Montserrat Oriole, 2020 - Saint Kitts and Nevis, 1 oz Gold, Siege of Brimstone Hill, 2020 - Saint Kitts and Nevis, 1 oz Silver, Siege of Brimstone Hill, 2020 - Saint Lucia, 1 oz Gold, Whiptail Lizard, 2020 - Saint Lucia, 1 oz Silver, Whiptail Lizard, 2020 - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 1 oz Gold, Pax et Justitia, 2020 - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 1 oz Silver, Pax et Justitia, 2020
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