After the Category 5 Hurricane Irma tore through the British Virgin Islands (BVI) this September, Britain’s Pobjoy Mint began donating 20 per cent of the sale value of all silver Proof and cupro-nickel coins issued on behalf of the BVI to a relief fund started by the islands’ government.
A private company that produces circulating and collector coinage on behalf of governments, central banks, and major companies worldwide, Pobjoy has a long-standing arrangement with the BVI, which was among the many places hit by Hurricane Irma.
The British overseas territory, which is part of the Caribbean archipelago east of Puerto Rico, consists of the following islands:
- Tortola;
- Virgin Gorda;
- Anegada; and
- Jost Van Dyke (in addition to 50 other smaller islands and cays).
The islands have a total population of about 22,000, of whom about 18,000 live on Tortola, which experienced the most severe damage in the BVI.
POBJOY STATEMENT
“Hurricane Irma—a category 5 hurricane—passed through the British Virgin Islands on 6 September at around 2pm AST. The hurricane directly hit the Territory and whilst we are currently unaware of the full extent of the damage, it is evident that the Islands have been severely impacted,” reads a statement issued by Pobjoy. “As the official mint of the British Virgin Islands our thoughts and prayers here at Pobjoy Mint are with the islanders, their families, and our Caribbean friends, who have been affected. The Pobjoy family regularly visits the British Virgin Islands and personally know the buildings and the areas that have been devastated.”
“Any help will be much appreciated by the islanders.”
To view the BVI’s legal-tender coins, click here.