Saint Helena: 50 pence coins Aesop's fables series 2022

[eurocoin]

For the first time the East India Company will release a commemorative 50 pence coin. Although the issuing authority has not yet been announced, the EIC works closely with the government of Saint Helena, so it is expected that these coins too will be issued for Saint Helena. The pieces will commemorate the fables of Aesop.

The first coin will commemorate the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. The second coin in the series will commemorate the Goose that laid the Golden Eggs. The second coin will be released in July.

[eurocoin]

I now have confirmation that these pieces will indeed be issued for Saint Helena. It is the first time that Saint Helena releases 7-sided commemorative 50p coins. The coloured sterling silver proof versions will have a mintage of around 3,500 pieces. It is expected that the first piece in the series will be available around 9 May and the second piece around 11 July. The packaging of the sterling silver proof version of the The Goose that laid the Golden Eggs coin can be seen below. It is unknown whether also base-metal versions will be issued.

[<k>]

It is the first time that Saint Helena has released 7-sided commemorative 50p coins.

Yes, that's true. Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island both issued their first versions in 2021.

[eurocoin]

This is what the obverse will look like of these commemorative 50p coins of Saint Helena:

[Offa]

These junk issues are becoming tedious, companies such as Westminster and the koin klub commission nonsense coins as a money making scheme.

[eurocoin]

In total 6 coins will be part of the series. All of them were designed by artist Heena Rai, who has in the past designed coins for The Royal Mint. This coin series was most likely minted by Tower Mint, which has a partnership with the East India Company, although the East India Company never releases official information on where its products were minted.

[Big_M]

Heena Rai

Also known as Heena Aujla (maiden name?)

[eurocoin]

Also known as Heena Aujla (maiden name?)

That explains a lot. I had been wondering in the past why she used the designers initials 'ha' on the coins that she did for The Royal Mint, while she was being named as Heena Rai by the mint. The East India Company on its website calls her Heena Raj, not sure whether a mistake or a third option. 

[eurocoin]

In total 6 coins will be part of the series. All of them were designed by artist Heena Rai, who has in the past designed coins for The Royal Mint.

It appears that this coin series was discontinued after the release of the second piece.

[MCz]

I'm not surprised, probably not a much collectors bought first two... Coins look very nice so I checked it even I ususally don't collect silver coins. But the price was too high as for the silver 50p (if I remember it was 99£ for a coin).

[Offa]

The problem with the coins being listed as the east India company is that the company was dissolved in 1877

[Figleaf]

The problem is that nobody ever thought of protecting the name East India Company. It was recently revived by a company selling overpriced trinkets, including fantasy coins, whose first shop (IIRC) was in London's Covent Garden.

Peter

[Big_M]

That explains a lot. I had been wondering in the past why she used the designers initials 'ha' on the coins that she did for The Royal Mint, while she was being named as Heena Rai by the mint. The East India Company on its website calls her Heena Raj, not sure whether a mistake or a third option. 

Now EIC website has her surname corrected to Rai, so it must have been a mistake. Note it still says Raj in two EIC blog entries.

EIC dedicated collection site

Interestingly, she designed an earlier, 2021 UK Gandhi coin as Heena Glover, the surname she would use consistently after 2022.

Behind the design - UK 2021 Gandhi coin