{"product_id":"falkland-islands-km-137-2-pounds-2004-xf-coin","title":"Falkland Islands KM#137 2 Pounds 2004 XF—Map—Wildlife—30 Years of Falklands Coins","description":"\u003cp\u003eA bimetallic 2-pound coin struck to mark 30 years of Falkland Islands coinage — from one of the most isolated inhabited places on Earth, which Brian from World Money Store personally traveled ten days to reach. The reverse is a miniature atlas of the territory, ringed by the animals that define it. The obverse carries the Ian Rank-Broadley portrait of Elizabeth II that defined a generation of Commonwealth coinage. This is a coin that rewards a second look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTen days to get here\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGetting to the Falkland Islands is not a casual trip. Brian from World Money Store needed to take \u003cstrong\u003eten days to travel here and back\u003c\/strong\u003e in 2025 when the Falklands issued their new beautiful polymer banknote series with King Charles. The route: fly to Santiago, Chile — itself a full day from the U.S. — overnight then onward to Stanley on a flight that operates \u003cstrong\u003eonce a week\u003c\/strong\u003e, with stops in Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. On the ground, there is \u003cstrong\u003eone bank branch\u003c\/strong\u003e (no ATM) and \u003cstrong\u003eone ATM\u003c\/strong\u003e (in a gas station) in the entire (magical) country. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eObverse\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColors: silver-toned copper-nickel center; gold-toned nickel brass ring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePortrait of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Elizabeth_II\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eQueen Elizabeth II\u003c\/a\u003e by engraver \u003cstrong\u003eIan Rank-Broadley\u003c\/strong\u003e — the definitive effigy used across Commonwealth coinage from 1998 onward\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInscriptions: QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND \/ 2004\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eReverse\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColors: silver-toned center; gold-toned outer ring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMap of the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Falkland_Islands\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFalkland Islands\u003c\/a\u003e with a radiant sun above — the two main islands, East and West Falkland, rendered in geographic detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnimals depicted around the map\u003c\/strong\u003e, representing the extraordinary wildlife of the islands: the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Southern_rockhopper_penguin\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRockhopper Penguin\u003c\/a\u003e, one of the world’s most distinctive penguins with its yellow-black crest and red eyes, found in vast colonies on the Falklands’ rocky coastlines; the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Black-browed_albatross\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBlack-browed Albatross\u003c\/a\u003e, which nests on the islands in the largest colony of any albatross species on the planet; and other native fauna that make the Falklands one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier wildlife destinations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngraver: \u003cstrong\u003eMatthew Bonaccorsi\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInscriptions: FALKLAND ISLANDS \/ TWO POUNDS\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdge\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReeded with incuse inscription: \u003cstrong\u003e· 30 YEARS OF FALKLAND ISLANDS COINAGE ·\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCatalog numbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e KM#137; Numista \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/numista.com\/10195\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eN#10195\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComposition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bimetallic — copper-nickel center in nickel brass ring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 28.4 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Milled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrientation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medal alignment ↑↑\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssuer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssuing authority:\u003c\/strong\u003e Government of the Falkland Islands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQueen:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elizabeth II (1952–2022)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard circulation — Commemorative: 30th anniversary of Falkland Islands coinage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2004\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eValue:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 Pounds (2 FKP = USD 2.71)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurrency:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Falkland_Islands_pound\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFalkland Islands pound\u003c\/a\u003e (decimalized, 1971–date)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOfficial language:\u003c\/strong\u003e English\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Falkland Islands\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin of name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Named after Falkland Sound, the channel between the two main islands, which was itself named after \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Anthony_Cary,_5th_Viscount_Falkland\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAnthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland\u003c\/a\u003e, a naval official who funded an early expedition in 1690\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCapital:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stanley (pop. ~2,500 — the southernmost capital city in the world)\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eOrigin of name:\u003c\/em\u003e Named after Lord Stanley, British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies in the 1840s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePopulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~3,800 (2021 census) — fewer people than many small towns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArea:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12,173 km² (4,700 mi²) — similar to Connecticut or Northern Ireland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGDP per capita (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purchasing_power_parity\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePPP\u003c\/a\u003e):\u003c\/strong\u003e ~$70,000+ — driven by fishing licenses and tourism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMain exports:\u003c\/strong\u003e Squid and fish (fishing licenses are the primary revenue source), wool, tourism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBorders:\u003c\/strong\u003e No land borders — surrounded by the South Atlantic Ocean; nearest mainland is Argentina (~500 km west)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOfficial\/spoken language:\u003c\/strong\u003e English\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnicities:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Falkland_Islander\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFalkland Islanders\u003c\/a\u003e (“Kelpers”) of predominantly British descent; small communities of Saint Helenians and Chileans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMemberships:\u003c\/strong\u003e British Overseas Territory; \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_Kingdom\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUnited Kingdom\u003c\/a\u003e responsible for defense and foreign affairs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArgentina's Dangerous National Myth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArgentina claims the islands as \u003cem\u003eIslas Malvinas\u003c\/em\u003e — but the facts don’t support the claim. \u003cstrong\u003eArgentina never owned the Falklands.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its national myth is based on two brief periods when a handful of Spaniards\/Argentines were present on the islands:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe British and French built forts in the 1760s, of which the French fort passed into Spanish hands from 1767 to 1811\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLouis Vernet, a \u003cstrong\u003eGerman immigrant \u003c\/strong\u003eto Argentina, founded a settlement of 80–100 people that lasted around seven years, 1826—1833, of whom roughly \u003cstrong\u003etwo dozen \u003c\/strong\u003ewere Argentine gauchos. (who are, incidentally, portrayed on a 50 peso banknote). \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBritain established the capital Stanley in \u003cstrong\u003e1845\u003c\/strong\u003e, whereas \u003cstrong\u003eall \u003c\/strong\u003eof southernmost Argentina didn't even have a single town in until \u003cstrong\u003e1869\u003c\/strong\u003e, when Ushuaia was founded. Stanley grew to 2,000 people by 1900.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 2013 referendum, \u003cstrong\u003e99.8% of islanders voted to remain a British Overseas Territory\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its citizens are full British citizens. \u003cstrong\u003eThree votes were cast against.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFalkland Islands Unfiltered\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Falklands War lasted 74 days in 1982. Argentina invaded; Britain sent a task force 8,000 miles. 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiers died over islands with fewer than 2,000 residents at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe islands have more penguins than people — by a factor of roughly 350 to 1. An estimated 1.2 million penguins of five species breed there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnexploded Argentine landmines from 1982 fenced off large sections of coastline for decades. Those beaches became accidental penguin sanctuaries, undisturbed by humans for 40 years. Most mines were finally cleared by 2020.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Falklands economy runs largely on squid. Fishing licenses sold to foreign fleets — mostly Asian — generate more revenue than anything else. The islands have no income tax.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 2013 sovereignty referendum, 1,513 votes were cast in favor of remaining British. Three voted against. Argentina called the result illegitimate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA coin born from a war no one expected\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Falkland Islands didn’t have its own decimal coinage until \u003cstrong\u003e1974\u003c\/strong\u003e — three years after decimalization, and eight years before the war that would make the islands famous worldwide. This 2004 coin marks exactly \u003cstrong\u003e30 years\u003c\/strong\u003e of that coinage, with the anniversary inscription hidden in plain sight on the edge: \u003cem\u003e· 30 YEARS OF FALKLAND ISLANDS COINAGE ·\u003c\/em\u003e. Most people who handle it never notice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe animals on the reverse are not decoration\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Falklands are one of the last places on Earth where wildlife exists at genuinely pre-industrial scale. \u003cstrong\u003eBlack-browed Albatrosses\u003c\/strong\u003e nest here in colonies of hundreds of thousands — the largest concentration of any albatross species on the planet. \u003cstrong\u003eRockhopper Penguins\u003c\/strong\u003e navigate vertical cliff faces to reach their nesting grounds, leaping between rocks with a confidence that seems improbable for a bird. The reverse of this coin is, in miniature, a field guide to one of the Southern Hemisphere’s great wildlife refuges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOwn this document of the South Atlantic\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a coin from a territory that most people know only from a war, held by a queen who reigned for 70 years, struck to commemorate a currency that outlasted an invasion. The bimetallic construction — warm gold ring, cool silver center — gives it a presence in hand that photographs don’t fully capture. XF condition: the detail is sharp, the surfaces clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA coin from the edge of the world, sourced from the edge of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"World Money Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52036714398007,"sku":"FK137-2004XF","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0969\/7165\/3431\/files\/137r.jpg?v=1777155212","url":"https:\/\/worldmoneystore.com\/products\/falkland-islands-km-137-2-pounds-2004-xf-coin","provider":"World Money Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}