Five Pounds 2018 The Three Graces, Coin from Tristan da Cunha - detailed information

Tristan da Cunha is one of the few UK Overseas Territories not to have its own currency. The island does, however, have a Commemorative Coins Ordinance which enables the Governor (with the prior approval of the British Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs) to "cause coins to be made and issued to commemorate notable events of importance to Tristan". Coins made and issued under the provisions of this law are legal tender on the island; they are not really likely to be used as such though, because their collectible and metal value far exceed their face value.

In 2018 to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Wedgwood, Wedgwood on behalf of Tristan Da Cunha released this limited issue "Three Graces £5 (Five Pound) Coin" issued in Wedgwood's finest Jasperware. The coins were handmade at the Wedgwood factory, exclusively for the Commonwealth Mint.

The iconic brand Wedgwood was founded in 1759 by renowned industrialist and philanthropist Josiah Wedgwood; and Jasper Ware was then invented by him in the 1770’s. To this day it is still one of the most sought after and collected ceramics in the world. The mintage limit of 3,000 reflects the number of trial samples it took before Josiah perfected the technique.

Wedgwood is a fine china, porcelain, and luxury accessories manufacturer that was founded on 1 May 1759 by the English potter and entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood. It was especially successful at producing fine earthenware and stonewares that were accepted as equivalent in quality to porcelain (which Wedgwood only made later) but were considerably cheaper. Wedgwood is especially associated with the "dry-bodied" (unglazed) stoneware Jasperware in contrasting colours, and in particular that in "Wedgwood blue" and white, always much the most popular colours, though there are several others. Jasperware has been made continuously by the firm since 1775, and also much imitated.

The company says:
"Encompassing the pioneering spirit of Wedgwood, this world-first coin continues the evolution of a truly English ceramic story of endeavour and excellence. Jasperware was arguably Wedgwood's most significant contribution to ceramic art and one of the most important innovations in ceramic history since the Chinese invention of porcelain nearly one thousand years earlier. The epitome of elegance and simplicity, the distinctive, classically inspired white bas-relief applied on top of a matte blue base, has become the most widely collected of all Wedgwood products. Nearly 250 years after it was invented, Jasperware now debuts, for the first time ever, on the world coin stage - in this first of its kind Jasperware legal tender coin."

The coin’s reverse design is inspired by signature Wedgwood reliefs of The Three Graces, based on the classical myth of the three charities, which have appeared in several forms on Josiah Wedgwood’s cameos since about 1777. The Jasperware Three Graces Coin also pays tribute to the world’s most famous depiction of The Three Graces - the neoclassical marble sculpture by Antonio Canova. The three mythological charities are said to be the daughters of Zeus, representing youth, mirth and elegance. The world-renowned sculpture is jointly owned by The National Gallery of Scotland and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Set against a pastel blue Jasperware base, the three female figures are bordered by geometrical shapes in a tribute to Greek neoclassical art.

The actual design used is an adaptation of the Canova sculpture for a coin design, by the Royal Mint's engraver William Wyon. It was made for an 1817 pattern crown, made in silver and gold.

The mintage limit of 3,000 reflects the number of trial samples it took before Josiah perfected the technique.