Montserrat Emerald Isle

The 2018 1 Oz Montserrat Emerald Isle Silver Coin is the fifth release in a planned series of eight coins. The collection is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Scottsdale Mint to issue gold and silver bullion coins on behalf of the eight member nations of the ECCB. Known as the EC8, this collection will include coins for Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Montserrat, which currently operates as a British Overseas Territory, is known as Emerald Isle of the Caribbean due to the prevailing influence of early Irish settlement. Its roots extend back to the early 1600’s European colonists, who were primarily of Irish descent. Interestingly enough, even the very shoreline of the island resembles that of Ireland.

The 1 oz. coin has a nominal value of $2 and is legal tender in Montserrat and countries aligned with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The coin is produced by the Scottsdale Mint with a purity of .999 Fine Silver. Mintages in the series are limited. The reverses will differ from year to year but will all share the motif of the Irish heritage present in Montserrat.

Silver Bullion Mintage

Design

Obverse: On the obverse of the coin is the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. This coin collection uses the fourth-generation right-profile portrait from Ian Rank-Broadley that was created in 1998. The effigy is surround by two feathers. Inscribed around the outer edge of the obverse is the term "EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK" from left to right across the top. From left to right across the bottom are the purity "1 OZ .999 FINE SILVER", "QUEEN ELIZABETH II", and the denomination "TWO DOLLARS".

Reverse: The reverse design of the 2018 1 oz Silver Montserrat coin features a stylized adaptation of the two primary elements of the Montserrat territorial flag. The British Union flag is displayed at an angle in the upper left area of the coin’s center inset while the Coat of Arms of Montserrat is displayed on the lower right. The shield depicts Erin, the fabled female personification of Ireland, standing in a fine full-gown. In one arm she holds an Irish harp and in the other a large Christian cross. The release year is inscribed on the shield. The backdrop is filled with vertical bars and the inset is encircled by a narrow, finely-engraved reeded band. Inscriptions encircling the rim include “MONTSERRAT” at the top, and “EMERALD ISLE OF THE CARIBBEAN” at the bottom. Filling the space between the top and bottom inscriptions are a series of alternating small and larger dots.