Comments on "Milestones in the decimal coinage of St.Helena-Ascension"

[<k>]

Parent topic:  Milestones in the decimal coinage of St.Helena-Ascension
The parent topic (above) gives an overview of the coinage of St. Helena-Ascension since decimalisation.

Please post any comments, questions or corrections here.

[<k>]

Just a reminder that official circulation sets of St. Helena-Ascension, dated 2006, are still on sale at the web site of the St. Helena post office:

http://www.postoffice.gov.sh/




So if you don't yet have the bimetallic two pound coin or the smaller 50p (since 2003), they are still available.

[<k>]

Though St. Helena and Ascension use a joint circulation coinage.

However, collector coins have been issued separately in the name of Ascension, and St. Helena.

There are also collector coins issued in their joint name, bearing the legend "ST. HELENA + ASCENSION".

These are all official issues.

[<k>]

The St. Helena-Ascension coinage does not circulate on the related territory of Tristan da Cunha, where only the pound sterling is used.

Tristan da Cunha has issued what appear to be circulation sets in its own name and in that of its unihabited islands, Gough Island, Nightingale Island, and Stoltenhoff Island. These are however not circulation coins but collector coins, and have proved controversial because the last three islands are uninhabited. Nevertheless, one of Tristan da Cunha's main sources of income is from selling collector coins and stamps.

[andyg]

I always assumed the 2006 St Helena issues were struck by the Royal mint -
here is a mint set with a Tower Mint piece...

http://www.ma-shops.com/aurich/item.php5?id=4819&lang=en

[africancoins]

This seems to be deceptive...

Previously seen in the packaging shown in this topic...

http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php?topic=12048.0

Then I found a Falkland Islands set with the "Tower Mint" thing in it...

http://www.muenzauktion.com/aurich/item.php5?id=4818&lang=en

I could not find a recent Falkland Islands mint set image.

We know Tower Mint have done Gibraltar - those are always with that other portrait and the quality/strength of strike is variable. I have yet to find a portrait side for pieces in a Falklands or St. Helena & Ascension "Tower Mint" set.

Thanks Mr Paul Baker

[chrisild]

Apparently there are new issues for Ascension which have the new CoA. Would that qualify as a milestone?

http://news.coinupdate.com/ascension-new-coat-of-arms-granted-1889/

Christian

[<k>]

Apparently there are new issues for Ascension which have the new CoA. Would that qualify as a milestone?

http://news.coinupdate.com/ascension-new-coat-of-arms-granted-1889/

Christian

Thank you for this very interesting news, Christian. I will post the image of the coin here. However, it does not qualify for my topic.  Firstly, it is not a circulation coin. It is described in the article as "a new crown coin". What it means is that the coin is crown-sized, i.e. 38.6mm in diameter. A crown is a coin that is worth 25 pence, or 5 shillings if pre-decimal. Crown-sized coins are not intended for circulation, although they are still legal tender.

Also, the topic deals with the joint circulation coinage of St Helena AND Ascension, so that is another reason why it is not strictly speaking relevant here. However, I am very pleased you brought it to my attention.

Here you can compare the coat of arms to that on the two existing circulation two pound coins of St Helena and Ascension, which are 28.4mm in diameter.

[<k>]

Compare it also to the coat of arms of British Indian Ocean Territory.

[chrisild]

Interestingly similar. Your explanation regarding the Ascension piece makes sense to me. Also, in my opinion, turtles as supporters of a CoA look somewhat strange - as if it was the arms that holds the animals, not the other way round ...

Christian

[Candy]

I`m curious has anyone ever found St Helena coins in circulation in the UK ?

[<k>]

Funny you should ask. I got a 1984 pound coin about 3 weeks ago. That's the only coin from there I ever received, I believe.

[redwine]

When I was in Ascension in the early 90's I don't remember seeing any local coinage.
I used pounds sterling and dollars only.

[<k>]

Ascension seems to be dominated by military bases. Could you give us an overview of your visit - what you did, where you went, how long you were there?

I did read a comment on a St Helena forum, by a resident, that he had taken the ship to the Falkland Islands, but they wouldn't accept his St Helena-Ascension coins and notes. They would only accept UK sterling or the Falkland pound. He wasn't pleased!

[redwine]

I was there for a couple of weeks installing a computer system and training the local staff on the software.
Went around and about in a Land Rover I borrowed 
Didn't play golf
Paid my bar bill in UK pounds.
And bought two pairs of Levis in the US base store with dollars, a local exchanged the money with me.