British colonies circulation coins


Even they are British Colonies, a lot of territories have their own coins in circulation. The main reason of that is unfortunately unknown of me. Some people will think the main reason is for having more autonomy of England. There are 2 decimal systems.



Sterling pound and Pence system
A lot of colonies use this system. Colonies are : Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernesey, Isle of Man, Jersey, St-Helena&Ascension. The willing of wanting more autonomy is one of the reason why they have their own currency. Most of them are located in Atlantic Ocean. They have all particularity of using the same token than England, so if you compare 1 penny from Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and United Kingdom, they are the same size and weight.


Falkland Islands

Most of people don't know where are Falkland Islands. Maybe you remember these 2 islands when Argentina claimed this territory in 1982. These islands are situed on the 52°south, about 900 km away from Argentina. The climate is cold and windy. Population is 2100h and 1500 are living in the capital; Stanley. Click here to see a map and a picture. First think you should wondering : Why so little islands have its own currency. Well I dont know, as I said above, maybe they want more autonomy. Falkland Islands pound is the official currency of Falkland Islands, South-Georgia Island, South Sandwich Islands and British Antarctic Territory. These 3 last territories are about 250h. Most of them are Scientist or Militar. There are 7 coins in circulation (1-2-5-10-20-50 pence and 1 pound). 1/2 pence is not in circulation anymore. First coinage dated 1974 and newest one is 1998. These coins show up unique life from there.

- 1 penny : Gentoo peinguins - Diameter : 2 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 2 pence : Upland goose (bird) - Diameter : 2,5 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 5 pence : Albatross (bird) - Diameter : 2,2 or 1,8 cm** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 10 pence: Ursine seal - Diameter : 2,8 or 2,3 cm** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 20 pence: Sheep - Diameter : about 2 cm (7 sized) - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 50 pence: Fox - Diameter : about 3 or 2,6 cm** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 1 pound* : Coat of arm (we can read on the edge : DESIRE THE RIGHT) - Diameter : 2,2 cm - Composition : Nickel-Brass
- "2 pound": Maybe they will have this new coins to conform UK coinage.

* : Only 1 year have been issued (1987).
** : All 5-10-50 pence coins have new size to conform UK coinage, coins are now smaller than other coins before 1998.

Falkland coinage use the same Portrait (Elizabeth II) since 1974 although UK change the portrait twice in this period. The 1 pound coin have portrait (1985-1998) but all the others coins. Coins are minted in UK


Gibraltar

This is a little colonies situed south of spain on the Mediterranean sea in the Gibraltar Strait. Most of people know its famous "big rock". Population is about 30 000h and most of them live in the main city;Gibraltar. Gibraltar is claimed by the spain for a lot of years now. These coins show up basements and nice view from Gibraltar.

- 1 penny : Barbary partridge (bird) - Diameter : 2 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 2 pence : Lighthouse on Europa point - Diameter : 2,5 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 5 pence : Barbary ape - Diameter : 2,2 or 1,8 cm* - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 10 pence:1988-94:Moorish castle -1994+:Euro-port - Diameter : 2,8 or 2,3 cm** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 20 pence: Our lady of Europe - Diameter : about 2 cm (7 sized) - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 50 pence: They use different design every year - Diameter : about 3 or 2,6 cm*** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 1 pound : Different design every year - Diameter : 2,2 cm - Composition : Nickel-Brass
- 2 pound : Hercules work (1998-1999) - Diameter : Unknown - Composition : Unknow (Bimetal)

* : 5 pence coins have been reduced in 1990
** : 10 pence coins have been reduced in 1992
***:50 pence coins have been reduced in 1997

Between 1988 and 1998 they used third portrait of Queen, 1998+ are with new portrait.


Guernesey

Guernesey are little islands 60 km away from France and are between 49°N and 50°N. they are part of Channel Islands, a group of islands own by UK. The population is about 65 000h. They are using the pound system since 1971 but they have their own coins for 170 years now. Here's profil of ACTUAL coins (1985- )

- 1 penny : Crab - Diameter : 2 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 2 pence : Guernsey cow - Diameter : 2,5 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 5 pence : Sailboats - Diameter : 2,2 or 1,8 cm* - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 10 pence: Tomato plant - Diameter : 2,8 or 2,3 cm** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 20 pence: Unknown - Diameter : about 2 cm (7 sized) - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 50 pence: 2 flowers - Diameter : about 3 or 2,6 cm*** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 1 pound : 1 £ with some kind of drawn - Diameter : 2,2 cm - Composition : Nickel-Brass
- 2 pound : Unknown - Diameter : Unknown - Composition : Unknown (Bimetal coin)

* : 5 pence coins have been reduced in 1990
** : 10 pence coins have been reduced in 1992
***:50 pence coins have been reduced in 1997
Between 1985 and 1998, they used the third portrait of Queen but in 1999 they have new portrait. However, between 1971 and 1985, they use their coat of arm instead of Queen's portrait.


Isle of Man

This island is located between UK and Ireland, population is about 65 000h. They have their own currency (Decimal system) since 1971 but they have their own coins for 160 years. They practically change their coin's design every year so that's tought to talk about all coins. These coins are mint on the same token than UK coinage. They used second portrait between 1971 and 1985, and all coins 1985+ have third portrait.


Jersey

Jersey is a little island 40 km away from France. It is situed on the 49°N. it is part of "Channel Islands", a groups of islands own by UK. It's the biggest island of these islands and have a population of 80 000h. They have been using pound system since 1971 but they have their own coins for 140 years now. Here's a profil of actual coinage in circulation (1983+). These coins show up interresting point from Jersey.

- 1 pence : Watch tower (Le Hocq)- Diameter : 2 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 2 pence : House (l'Hermitage) - Diameter : 2,5 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 5 pence : Seymour tower (watch tower) - Diameter : 2,2 or 1,8 cm* - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 10 pence: La houque Bie (Kind of rock) - Diameter : 2,8 or 2,3 cm** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 20 pence: Date below hust (Watch tower) - Diameter : about 2 cm (7 sized) - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 50 pence: Grosnez Castle - Diameter : about 3 or 2,6 cm*** - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 1 pound : "They have different design every year but they have a serie of "parish" of all county and another one about boat - Diameter : 2,2 cm - Composition : Nickel-Brass

* : 5 pence coins have been reduced in 1990
** : 10 pence coins have been reduced in 1992
***:50 pence coins have been reduced in 1997

The have been using the same Queen's portrait since 1971 (Second one)


St-Helena&Ascension

These are the last UK colonies to have their own currency. They introduced their own coinage in 1984. St-helena&Ascension are 2 islands. St-Helena is situed in Atlantic Ocean (16°S), about 2000 km west of Angola (Africa). Population is about 7000h. Ascension Island is about 1300km North-West (8°S) of St-Helena, population is about 1200h. Tristan Da Cunha is always unsing this coinage, it's located 2400km (37°S) Sud-West of St-helena, population is about 300h. These 3 islands is situed between 0° and 15°W. These coins show up unique life from these islands.

- 1 penny : Tuna (fish) - Diameter : 2 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 2 pence : Donkey with fire wood - Diameter : 2,5 cm - Composition : Bronze and Copper plated steel
- 5 pence : 1984-91:Rain piper (bird)-1998:Turtle - Diameter : 2,2 or 1,8 cm* - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 10 pence: 1984-91:Arum lily(flower)-1998:dolphin - Diameter : 2,8 or 2,3 cm* - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 20 pence: flower - Diameter : about 2 cm (7 sized) - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 50 pence: Sea turtle - Diameter : about 3 or 2,6 cm* - Composition : Copper-Nickel
- 1 pound : Sooty tern (bird) - Diameter : 2,2 cm - Composition : Nickel-Brass

* : 5-10-50 pence coins have been reduced in 1998

They have just minted 3 series of coins since 1984 (1984-1991-1997-98). 1984 and 1991 ones are with second portrait and 1997-98 ones are with third portrait.



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