To commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Cayman (Caiman) Islands Currency Board, a limited number of silver Proof $2 coins were issued. In 1969 the Government of the Cayman Islands established the Currency Board which, with the assistance of the Bank of England and Crown Agents, conducted a detailed study of all aspects of the Islands' currency, and presented its recommendations in 1971. As a result the Cayman Islands had its own currency for the first time in its history by May 1, 1972, thus replacing the Jamaican currency which had previously been in circulation on the Islands. A special commemorative $2 silver Proof coin, modelled by Royal Mint engraver Robert Elderton, captures the exquisite reverse designs of each minor coin (1, 2, 5 and 10 Cent circulating coinage) minted first in 1972, namely the Caiman Thrush, the Pink-spotted Shrimp, the Green Hawksbill Turtle breaking the surface of the water, and a Caiman Schooner. These striking portrayals reflect the enchanting flora and fauna in and around the beautiful islands, as well as the long seafaring history. The intricate design of the $2 coin's reverse also features the Cayman Islands National Coat of Arms and the inscription "25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CURRENCY BOARD 1971-1996." Featured on the obverse is the elegant portrait of Her Majesty, the Queen, by sculptor Raphael Maklouf (photo courtesy of Cayman Islands Currency Board): http://www.cimoney.com.ky/currency/currency.aspx?id=872 Are you ready to see photos of those four designs which the original Currency Board approved for the coins of 1972? 17mm Bronze Cent (Great Caiman Thrush): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...ands km1 1 Cent (1972-1986)&query=Cayman km 1 18mm Copper-Nickel Five Cent (Pink-Spotted Shrimp): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...nds km2 5 Cents (1972-1986)&query=Cayman km 2 21mm Copper-Nickel Ten Cents (Green Hawksbill Turtle surfacing): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...ds km3 10 Cents (1972-1986)&query=Cayman km 3 24.2mm Copper-Nickel 25 Cents (Schooner Sailing right): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...ds km4 25 Cents (1972-1986)&query=Cayman km 4 I have a bonus for you. Four coins whose designs were authorized by the Currency Board in 1971 and minted first in 1972, but not featured on the 1996 $2 Coin are pictured here courtesy of worldcoingallery.com: 28.2mm Silver (0.3063 oz. ASW 50 Cents (Caribbean Emperor Fish): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...982) Caribbean Emperor fish&query=Cayman km 5 Half-Crown-sized Silver (0.5353 oz. ASW) $1( Poinsettia [Poinciana] Flower): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...972-1982) Flamboyant flower&query=Cayman km 6 This coin's design is my favorite. Crown-sized Silver (0.9250 oz. ASW) $2 (Great Blue Heron): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1972-1986) Great Blue Heron&query=Cayman km 7 Silver (1.0557 oz. ASW) $5 (Large Island Arms): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...s km8 5 Dollars (1972-1986)&query=Cayman km 8 Who knew? Hope you enjoyed... Clinker Clinker
To billit7... All were originally circulation coinage except the $2 Silver Commemorative (1st coin mentioned and pictured in this post... Clinker
