Lot #541: 1955 British Caribbean Territories Fifty Cent Coin - Queen Elizabeth II - Arms of Leeward Islands, Trinidad, British Guyana, Windward Islands

Obverse: Features the "First Portrait" (Laureate Head) of Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick. The Queen faces right, wearing a laurel wreath. The inscription reads QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND. Reverse: Coats of Arms of the British Caribbean Territories: coats of Arms of the British Leeward Islands, badge of Trinidad before the independence (boat entering harbour with motto MISCERIQUE PROBAT POPULOS ET FOEDERA JUNGI, meaning "He approves of the mingling of the peoples and their bonds of union"), badge of British Guyana (ship with motto DAMUS PETIMUSQUE VICISSIM, meaning "We give and expect a fair return") and coat of arms of the British Windward Islands. Lettering: BRITISH CARIBBEAN TERRITORIES - EASTERN GROUP. FIFTY CENTS 19 55 The 1955 British Caribbean Territories fifty-cent coin is a significant high-denomination issue from the early years of the Eastern Caribbean currency union. These coins were struck at the Royal Mint in London for use in a wide range of territories including Barbados, British Guiana, the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago. The fifty-cent piece was the highest denomination in the 1955 series. This was the first year of issue for this specific denomination under the British Caribbean Territories authority, making it a "type-first" coin. The 1955 issue is part of the transition away from British Sterling toward a unified Caribbean dollar. These coins were eventually replaced by the Eastern Caribbean Currency Authority (ECCA) issues in the mid-1960s as the islands moved toward independence. Dimensions: Cupro-Nickel. 30.6 mm. 12.9 g. (Similar to a British Half Crown). Pickup category timeslot {A}