2015-12-23 Wed

Ascension Island has issued a new coin to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the popular Two Pence Blue Stamp, also known as Tu’penny Blue. This coin is a special, blue coloured one and is being released to mark the 175th anniversary of the stamp’s release. The first stamp, Penny Black, was issued in 1840 CE along with the Two pence Blue Stamp on May 6th. 2015 marks the 175th year, and to celebrate this, Ascension Island has released coins bearing the Tu’penny Blue on the reverse. The perfectly recreated stamp has a beautiful, unique pearl-effect blue finish. The obverse depicts the side-profile bust of Queen Elizabeth II.

These coins are issued in two fabrics with both having a face value of 1 crown. Both types weigh 28 grams and measure 38.6 mm in diameter. The Cupro-Nickel coins are of a BU and colour quality with a mintage of 10,000 pieces, while the .925 Sterling Silver coins are of Proof and colour quality with a mintage of 5000 pieces.