Named after Saint Helena of Constantinople and is the second-oldest British overseas territory, Saint is Helena nestled in the South Atlantic Ocean. The volcanic tropical island is one of the most isolated islands across the globe, lying about 4,000 kilometers east of Rio de Janeiro and 1,950 kilometers west of southwestern Africa. The island is only approximately 16 by 8 kilometers and was one of the stopovers for voyagers from Asia and Southern Africa to Europe Saint Helena is home to over 400 endemic species of birds and plants. The island is also producing the world’s most expensive coffee. It also manufactures and exports Tungi Spirit which is made from the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica.
As a British possession, the British pound sterling was circulating in the country even after the new Saint Helena pound was introduced. The South African pound was also widely accepted in Saint Helena until the South African rand was established. In 1976, the Government of Saint Helena currency board started issuing banknotes featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the coat of arms of the East India Company that depicts lions, flags, and a shield. In 2004, a new set of notes was released highlighting a new picture of Queen Elizabeth II.
