New Coat of Arms Granted for Ascension Island

The Government & Treasury of the Ascension Islands have issued (8^th March) a new crown coin which marks the granting of the Island’s new coat of arms, a distinct and unique crest which will be utilized for all future official state functions. In August 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II approved a new Coat of Arms for Ascension Island, the design of which was drawn up by the College of Arms in London. Prior to this approval, Ascension Island used the Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom for official purposes.

Ascension Island, which is a volcanic island found in the waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, is governed as part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The Island is named after the day of its recorded discovery, Ascension Day.  Historically, the island played a role as an important safe haven and coaling station to mariners and during World War II was an important naval and air station. Although there is no indigenous population on the island, around 880 people live there and when considering the new design for the Coat of Arms, the Islanders themselves were asked what they would like to see on the Coat of Arms and the design was based on the features suggested which includes the turtles that famously lay their eggs on Ascension’s beaches. They can be seen on either side of a crest and mantle, almost in standing form on a small portion of sandy beach.

Denomination	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Mintage
£2	cupro-nickel	28 grams	38.6 mm.	BU	Unlimited
£2	.925 silver	28 grams	38.6 mm.	proof	10,000 pieces

This crest features on the reverse of the new coin along with its denomination of two pounds and is struck by the Pobjoy Mint in the United Kingdom. The obverse includes a head & shoulders portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II along with the year of issue, 2013.

For more information on this and other coins offered by the Pobjoy Mint, please visit their website at: Mint at: www.pobjoy.com – information offered in English – international orders fulfilled.