British Virgin Islands
 

 
               14 Nov 1493  Discovered by Columbus and claimed for Spain, island
                             chain named Las Islas Once Mil Virgenes.
      c.1615 - Sep 1625     Dutch settle on Tortola.
               Sep 1625     Spanish destroy Dutch colony on Tortola.
                      1628  Santa Ana (Tortola) claimed for England (but not settled
                             1645-46, and after 1672).
               05 Feb 1646  Spanish destroy English colony on Tortola.
        1648 - 1672         Occupied by Dutch pirates.
                             Dutch colony on Tortola Island (Nieu ter Tholen)
                             (on Anegada and Virgin Gorda until 1680).
                      1665  English occupation of Tortola.
                  Jun 1672  English colony; part of Antigua.
        1672 - 1816         Part of Leeward Islands colony (under Antigua).
                      1680  English settle Anegada and Virgin Gorda.
                      1713  British crown colony (Virgin Islands).
               30 Nov 1773  British Virgin Islands administratively united
                             (Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Peter,
                             Norman, Guana, Ginger and Salt Islands).
        1816 - 1871         Part St. Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British
                             Virgin Islands colony (see St. Kitts).
        1833 - 01 Jan 1960  Part of Leeward Islands colony (under Antigua).
               01 Jan 1960  Separate colony (British Virgin Islands).
               18 Apr 1967  Autonomous
               01 Jun 1977  Former Constitution Order
               19 Jun 2007  Constitution Order

 

 

The Colony of the Virgin Islands, a British colony situated in the Caribbean Sea northeast of Puerto Rico and west of the Leeward Islands, has an area of 59 sq. mi. (155 sq. km.). Capital: Road Town [Spanish Town 1680-1741]. The principal islands of the 36-island group are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke. The chief industries are fishing and stock raising. Fish, livestock and bananas are exported. The Virgin Islands were discovered by Columbus in 1493, and named by him, Las Virgienes, in honor of St. Ursula and her companions. The Dutch established a permanent settlement on the island of Tortola by 1648. In 1672, the English captured Tortola from the Dutch, and the English annexation of Anegada and Virgin Gorda followed in 1680. Meanwhile, over the period 1672–1733, the Danish gained control of the nearby islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. The British Virgin Islands were formerly part of the administration of the Leeward Islands but received a separate administration as a Crown Colony in 1950. A new constitution promulgated in 1967 provided for a ministerial form of government headed by the Governor. Motto: "Vigilate" (Latin) [Translation: "Be Vigilant"].
 
 
Monetary standard: US Dollar = 100 cents, since 1959 along with British Virgin Islands Dollar (VGD) = 100 cents from 30 Jun 1973.
The Government of the British Virgin Islands issued the first official coinage in its history on 30 June 30 1973, in honor of 300 years of constitutional government in the islands. U.S. coins and currency continue to be the primary medium of exchange, though the coinage of the British Virgin Islands is legal tender. 1 USD = 1 VGD.

NOTE: Franklin Mint has produced coins 1973-1985 for British Virgin Islands. From 1975-1977 the Franklin Mint is also known to produced coinage these in three different qualities.

  • (M) MATTE - Normal circulation strike or a dull finish produced by sandblasting special uncirculated (polish finish) or proof quality dies.
  • (U) SPECIAL UNCIRCULATED - Polished or proof-like in appearance without any frosted features.
  • (P) PROOF - The highest quality obtainable having mirror like fields and frosted features.
 
British Virgin Islands commemorative coins
 
1973
 

KM#1 1 cent. Year: 1973. Weight: 1.49g [1.50g]. Metal: Bronze. Edge: Plain. Diameter: 15.00 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Greenthroated Carib and Antillean Crested Hummingbird sitting on tree branches imposed on value "1 CENT". Mintage: 53,000. Minted Years: 1973-1974 (circulated issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

Same as above coin, but Proof. Weight: 1.52g [1.50g].

Mintage: 181,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (Proof issues).

KM#2 5 cents. Year: 1973. Weight: 3.03g [3.00g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Plain. Diameter: 19.50 mm. Thickness: 1.32 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Zenaida Doves imposed on value "5 CENTS". Mintage: 26,000. Minted Years: 1973-1974 (circulated issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

Same as above coin, but Proof. Weight: 3.02g [3.00g].

Mintage: 181,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (Proof issues).

KM#3 10 cents. Year: 1973. Weight: 5.32g [5.50g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Thickness: 1.77 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Ringed Kingfisher on a branch, looking right, imposed on value "10 CENTS". Mintage: 23,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (special uncirculated issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

Same as above coin, but Proof. Weight: 5.34g [5.50g].

Mintage: 181,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (Proof issues).

KM#4 25 cents. Year: 1973. Weight: 7.71g [7.72g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Thickness: 1.95 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Two Mangrove Cuckoo on a branch, imposed on below value "25 CENTS". Mintage: 181,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (Proof issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

KM#5 50 cents. Year: 1973. Weight: 14.58g [14.25g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 31.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Two Brown Pelican, imposed on value "50 CENTS". Mintage: 20,000. Minted Years: 1973-1974 (circulated issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

Same as above coin, but Proof. Weight: 14.57g [14.25g].

Mintage: 181,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (Proof issues).

 
1974
 

KM#1 1 cent. Year: 1974. Weight: 1.50g [1.50g]. Metal: Bronze. Edge: Plain. Diameter: 15.00 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Greenthroated Carib and Antillean Crested Hummingbird sitting on tree branches imposed on value "1 CENT". Mintage: 22,000. Minted Years: 1973-1974 (circulated issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

Same as above coin, but normal issue. Weight: 3.02g [3.00g].

Mintage: 18,000. Minted Years: 1973-1974 (circulated issues).

 
1975
 

KM#3 10 cents. Year: 1975. Weight: 5.38g [5.50g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Thickness: 1.77 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Ringed Kingfisher on a branch, looking right, imposed on value "10 CENTS". Mintage: 2,351. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (uncirculated issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

Same as above coin, but Proof. Weight: 7.76g [7.72g].

Mintage: 32,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (Proof issues).

KM#5 50 cents. Year: 1975. Weight: 14.49g [14.25g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 31.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Franklin Mint. Obverse: Young bust of Queen Elizabeth II portrait facing right in the center with "· ELIZABETH THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" written around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Two Brown Pelican, imposed on value "50 CENTS". Mintage: 2,351. Minted Years: 1975-1983 (special uncirculated issues). Engravers: Arnold Machin (obverse) and Gilroy Roberts (reverse).

Same as above coin, but Proof. Weight: 14.32g [14.25g].

Mintage: 32,000. Minted Years: 1973-1984 (Proof issues).

Same as above coin, but Matte. Weight: 14.51g [14.25g].

Mintage: 1,000. Minted Years: 1973-1975 (Matte issues).

 
2000
 

KM#172 1 Dollar. Year: 2000. Weight: 28.46g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 38.60 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Pobjoy Mint. Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II's portrait facing right in the center and "· ELIZABETH II THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" around her. Year "2000" at the bottom. "PM" mint mark on the left side, below Queen Elizabeth's neck. Reverse: Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's in the center. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER" written at the top section. Year "1900" on her left side and Year "2000" on her right side. Value "$1" at the bottom. Mintage: 100,000. Minted Years: One year type. Subject: Celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen's Mother.

Note: Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was the wife of King George VI and the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. She was queen consort of the United Kingdom from her husband's accession in 1936 until his death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter.

KM#175 1 Dollar. Year: 2000. Weight: 28.33g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 38.60 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Pobjoy Mint. Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II's portrait facing right in the center and "· ELIZABETH II THE SECOND ··· BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS ·" around her. Year "2000" at the bottom. "PM" mint mark on the left side, below Queen Elizabeth's neck. Reverse: Prince Edward and Princess Sofia's marriage picture with flowers in the center. Marriage date "JUNE 19th 1999" below them. "FIRST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF WESSEX" around them. Value "$1" at the bottom. Mintage: 100,000. Minted Years: One year type.

Note: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO (Edward Antony Richard Louis; born 10 March 1964) is the third son and fourth (and youngest) child of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Sophie Rhys-Jones met Prince Edward at a charity tennis event in 1993, and the two began their relationship soon afterwards. Their engagement was announced on 06 January 1999 and the wedding took place on 19 June of the same year at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. On the same day, before their marriage, Queen Elizabeth II made Edward as Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn, and declared that he would eventually be created Duke of Edinburgh, once that title reverts to the Crown. After the union, the couple moved to Bagshot Park in Surrey.

 
2005
 

KM#312 1 Dollar. Year: 2005. Weight: 28.28g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Edge: Reeded. Diameter: 38.60 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Pobjoy Mint. Obverse: Queen Elizabeth II's portrait facing right in the center and "BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS QUEEN ELIZABETH II 2005" written around her. "PM" mint mark on the left side, below Queen Elizabeth's shoulder. Reverse: Mother and baby dolphins. Value "$1" at the bottom. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Obverse Designer: Ian Rank-Broadley.

 
 
 
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