Saint Helena 1 Pound - Elizabeth II, 2023

1 Pound - Elizabeth II from Saint Helena. Issued in 2023. Struck in Silver (.999). Measures 38.61 mm and weighs 31.1 g.

Obverse

The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait" worldwide but "Sixth Portrait" in Australia, where the Queen's portrait by Vladimir Gottwald was fifth). The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen mother) in 1937. Unlike on British coinage, the effigy is "uncouped" (includes the Queen's shoulders). In small letters on the left, the artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark).

Reverse

The reverse design shows a Japanese dragon "treasuring its mystical tamashi as the iconic Kanagawa wave crashes below, with the islands of Japan standing proudly upon the globe in the background". Around above right, the inscription TRADE DOLLAR. Below right, the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated.

Edge

Reeded