Numismatic

2020 St. Helena 1 oz Silver French Trade Dollar Restrike (BU)

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This modern silver release from St. Helena pays tribute to a fascinating chapter in global monetary history. The design draws its inspiration from the French Trade Piastre, a coin originally introduced in 1885 to manage the circulating currency within French Indochina. When first minted, the historical piastre was defined by a silver standard of 24.4935 grams of pure precious metal, which was later adjusted in 1895 to a standard of 24.3 grams. This contemporary tribute captures the essence of that era, struck in one troy ounce of 999 fine silver. One side of the coin features an intricate depiction of Liberty seated while wearing a distinctive headdress. The alternate side displays the profile of Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the year 2020, the face value of one dollar, and an elegant scroll pattern that frames the perimeter. Backed by the government of St. Helena, this brilliant uncirculated coin represents a bridge between nineteenth-century trade dynamics and modern minting, with a total release limited to 5,000 pieces.