Half Sovereign 2012 Diamond Jubilee, 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.

Some of these coins are in the Half Sovereign 22-carat gold format which mirrors the specifications of the British Half Sovereign, which (starting with the pre-decimal sovereign) has been issued in this form since 1817. The full sovereign has a nominal face value of £1 (one pound), so the half sovereign is formally denominated as £0.50 (or 50p - fifty pence).

This gold coin is inspired by the classic Una and the Lion design. Widely considered to be the most beautiful British coins ever minted, the original 1839 Una and the Lion was created by the great British engraver William Wyon as a celebration of the beginning of young Queen Victoria’s reign and to coincide with her 20th birthday. It was said to be based on Edmund Spenser’s 16th century epic poem The Faerie Queene which depicted Una, a female heroine, so innocent and beautiful, she captivated the fierce lion.

As a tribute to the classic design, this coin depicts the same scene but with Queen Elizabeth II as the central character, marking her Diamond Jubilee - 60 years on the throne.