Eastern Caribbean British Caribbean Territories Elizabeth II 50 Cents

History

50 Cents 1955-1965, KM# 7, British Caribbean Territories, Elizabeth II

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 1926–2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms. Her reign of 70 years and seven months, which began on 6 February 1952, was the longest of any British monarch in history.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics.

Times of personal significance have included the births and marriages of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Tudor Crown Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II First crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the stylized heraldic Tudor Crown. The Tudor Crown, also known as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown, is a widely used symbol in heraldry of the United Kingdom. While various crown symbols had been used for this purpose for many years previously, the specific Tudor Crown design was standardised at the request of Edward VII. It was never intended to represent any actual physical crown, although in shape it bears a close resemblance to the small diamond crown of Queen Victoria. Upon the accession of Elizabeth II, she requested the design to be replaced with a representation of the St Edward's Crown (with depressed arches) which she wore at her coronation. Many, though not all, of the derived designs around the world were updated to match. This portrait appeared on the obverse of the coins of Britain's colonies and dependencies (including Jersey), while only Britain and the Dominions (Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa) were allowed to use the uncrowned effigy. Engraver: Cecil Thomas QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND CT
Reverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Horse Coat of arms Navy (ship, submarine etc.) Ship Figure and horseheads above shielded arms and circular pictures, denomination and date divided below. 2 escutcheons and 2 badges: • British Leeward Islands • badge of Trinidad • badge of British Guyana • British Windward Islands. The badge of the crown-colony depicts the harbour of Port of Spain and mount El Tucuche with two Royal Navy frigate flying the white ensign and a boat with crew in the foreground. In base is the motto, choosen by Sir Ralph Abercromby who captured Trinidad from the Spanish in 1797. The motto is quote from Virgil's Aeneid (Book IV, Line 112): ‘Miscerive probet populos, aut foedera iungi ’(He approved of the mingling of peoples and their being joined together by treaties). Colonial badge of British Guiana, based on the seal of the Dutch West India Company. Depicting a sailing vessel with full sails. A strap surrounding the badge with the Latin motto "DAMUS PETIMUS QUE VICISSIM" (We Give and Demand Reciprocal). Engraver: Thomas Humphrey Paget BRITISH CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES EASTERN GROUP MISCERIQUE PROBAT POPULOS ET FOEDERA JUNGI DAMUS PETIMUSQUE VICISSIM FIFTY CENTS 19 65
Edge	Reeded (milled)