Hover to zoom.
The treasury of St. Helena and the East India Company Bullion Ltd. have announced (29th January) the release of the first bullion-quality pure silver one-ounce coins that are part of a six-coin series featuring exquisite designs that comprise the “Queen’s Virtues.” This series’s initial launch occurred late in 2020 with the release of Proof-quality strikes in gold and silver. The 2021-dated coins are issued in conjunction with the 95th birthday of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II this year, which will occur in April.
Each reverse design in this six-coin series is fittingly based on the acclaimed Victoria Memorial situated outside Buckingham Palace. Designed and sculpted by noted artist and medallist Sir Thomas Brock (1847–1922) after the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. Painstakingly recreated by acclaimed Dutch artist Elles Kloosterman, the first coin in this poignant series represents Victory, perhaps one of the most prominent virtues a monarch can behold.
The gold-gilded winged angel of Victory is placed at the very top of the monument with five other allegorical figures representing Queen Victoria’s virtues. Represented on three of the four sides are personifications of Justice, Truth, and Charity. Placed at the feet of Victory are the allegorical figures of Courage and Constancy. Courage wears a helmet and bears a club, while Constancy holds a ship’s compass, both in cloaks billowing in the breeze.
The first coins dated 2021 features Victory with a detailed depiction of the standing allegorical figure atop the monument; she is carrying a victor’s palm in her left hand. Towards the left and above the design along the edge is the text VICTORY THROUGH HARMONY. The distinctive EIC privy mark is placed to the lower right, a mark of quality applied to all East India Company’s modern coinage.
The obverse side includes an elegant effigy of HM Queen Elizabeth II created by noted engraver and sculptor Raphael Maklouf. The issuing authority ST HELENA is included in the legend surrounding the Queen’s likeness with the denomination £1 and the year of issue 2021. The weight and fineness ONE OUNCE .999 SILVER is shown below the Queen’s portrait. Each side includes a distinctive and decorative geometric pattern in the field (or background) of both designs.
| Denom. | Metal | Weight | Diameter | Quality | Mintage Limit |
£1 |
.999 Silver | 31.1 g | 38.61 mm | Bullion | To meet demand |
Each single coin is enclosed in a protective transparent coin-flip. Coins purchased in quantities of 20 or more are packaged in sealed tubes and dispatched in quantities of up to 500 pieces per order. For additional information, please inquire at leading bullion distributors internationally.
In addition to the 2021 Victory one-ounce silver bullion coin, the first design in the “Queen’s Virtues” is also available in limited edition one-ounce gold and one-ounce silver Proof versions. With just 250 coins issued of the 2021 Victory one-ounce gold Proof and 2,500 of the 2021 Victory one-ounce silver Proof coins available, these limited-edition presentations are still available in very small quantities by visiting the retail website of the East India Company at:
The first coin in the series is issued in conjunction with the 95th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Additional coins will be issued to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession in 2022 and the 70th anniversary of her coronation in 2023. During the course of the series, additional designs will be released from now into 2023 representing TRUTH — CHARITY — JUSTICE — COURAGE and CONSTANCY.
❑
Hi. Are these coins minted at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales?. Thank you.
How do I get a list of the probable dates of issue for the second through sixth coins?