Pound sterling in the South Atlantic and the Antarctic facts for kids

The United Kingdom has several islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. It also claims a part of the Antarctic continent. These places are called British Overseas Territories. They include St. Helena (with Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha), the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and the British Antarctic Territory.

The money used in these territories is either the Pound sterling (the same as in the UK). Or, they have their own local money. This local money is always worth the same as the UK pound. This means if you have one local pound, it's worth exactly one UK pound.

Money in Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

St. Helena used the same money as the United Kingdom for a long time. But in 1976, it started printing its own banknotes. These banknotes were worth the same as the UK pound.

Later, in 1984, St. Helena also started making its own coins. These coins are the same size as UK coins. They also show Queen Elizabeth II on one side, just like British coins. But the other side has special designs that show things from the territory.

The coins say "Saint Helena • Ascension" on them. However, the banknotes only say "Government of St. Helena." Sometimes, special collector coins are made for St. Helena or Ascension Island separately.

The money from St. Helena can be used on Ascension Island. But it is not used on Tristan da Cunha. On Tristan da Cunha, people use UK money. UK money can also be used on St. Helena and Ascension Island.

Money in the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands also used UK money for many years. Then, in 1899, they started printing their own banknotes. These banknotes were worth the same as the UK pound.

In 1974, the Falkland Islands began making their own coins. These coins are similar in size to UK coins. They also show Queen Elizabeth II on one side. But the other side of the coins has unique designs. These designs often show the amazing animals or the coat of arms of the Falkland Islands.

Money in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is a place with very few people. There are no people who live there all the time. Government workers in these islands use UK money.

Even though there are no permanent residents, the government of the islands still creates special collector coins. These coins are made by a British company called Pobjoy Mint.

Money in the British Antarctic Territory

The British Antarctic Territory is a part of Antarctica claimed by the UK. However, international agreements mean other countries can also have science bases there. The official money used here is the Pound sterling, which is UK money.

In 1970, a special announcement was made about money in these territories. It said that some old UK coins, like farthings, halfpennies, and half-crowns, would no longer be used as money. This change happened by October 31, 1970. These coins had already stopped being used in the United Kingdom years before. For example, the farthing stopped being used in the UK in 1960.