The reverse field illustration of this bar features a British Vessel, branded with the insignia of the East India Company of London. The intricate detailing included on the bar, in the form of etching, texturing, and shading, work harmoniously, creating a symphony of bullion and art. Interconnected lines adorn the coins field, reminiscent of the interconnected, new age of globalized prosperity.
The bar stays true to the nostalgic theme, with the early portrait of Queen Elizabeth II cantered on the coin’s obverse, with the contrast between the depiction and the bar’s matte field further contributing to the aesthetic appeal.
The tiny, isolated Island of Saint Helena is an unlikely candidate as one of the most significant and influential nations in terms of global trade. Yet, looking back and examining the collective history, St. Helena is an integral component of worldwide trade and commerce. The Island, which spans an area of 47 square miles, was seen as an oasis by explorers and conquerors such as the Dutch, Portuguese, and English, all vying for control of the crucial port. In 1658 the British claimed the Island by making it a fortress and a hub for lucrative expeditions to India, China, and the rest of the Eastern world. The trading hub has now reached unprecedented heights of success, accounting for half of the world’s trade, establishing a monopoly in cotton, silk, salt, spices and tea, among many others, contributing to the vast and enormous wealth of the British empire. The Island, which remains a British colony to this day, was a vital component in the rise of the British empire.