Saint Helena 2 Pounds - Elizabeth II Three Graces (2021)

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 The Queen also wears the Coronation Necklace; originally made for Queen Victoria in 1858, it was also worn at the coronations (as Queen's Consort) of Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth (the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). The artist's initials JC (for Jody Clark) are in tiny letters below left. Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date.

ELIZABETH II·D·G·REGINA·F·D·ST. HELENA· 2 POUNDS·2021 JC

William Wyon’s beautiful 1817 neoclassical Three Graces pattern. Within a beaded border, the reverse features, from left to right, the female representations of Ireland, England and Scotland. They are identified by the implements at their feet - respectively a harp, a shield bearing the cross of St George and an oversized thistle; additionally, the also carry floral symbols in their crowns: shamrocks, roses and more thistles. The engravers name W. WYON. is to the left of the harp. Above the harp, the EIC mint mark of the East India Company; the letters are separated by arrows radiating from the centre around which they are situated. England, (or maybe Britannia), is perhaps the elder sister, standing taller than the other women who look at her with affection. This is an idealised representation of the union between the three nations, formed as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. Wales is not represented here, but then that would have disrupted the neat parallel

FOEDUS INVIOLABILE W.WYON. EIC