Saint Helena pound
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| Saint Helena pound | |
| ISO 4217 Code | SHP |
|---|---|
| User(s) | Saint Helena |
| Inflation | 3.2% |
| Source | The World Factbook, 1997 est. |
| Pegged with | pound sterling at par |
| Subunit | |
| 1/100 | penny |
| Symbol | £ |
| Plural | |
| penny | pence |
| Coins | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence, £1, £2 |
| Banknotes | £5, £10, £20 |
| Government | Government of Saint Helena |
| Website | www.sainthelena.gov.sh |
Contents |
[edit] History
The first Saint Helena banknotes were issued in 1976, in denominations of 50 pence and one, five and ten pounds. The 50 pence and one pound notes were subsequently withdrawn and replaced by coins.
Previous to the issue of its own banknotes UK pound sterling banknotes were used. Prior to February 1961 South African money was also accepted on the island but was withdrawn due to decimalisation in South Africa (UK decimalisation did not occur until February 1971).
[edit] Issue
The Saint Helena pound is issued by the British overseas territory of Saint Helena. It is fixed at parity with the pound sterling.
Coins are issued in denominations of 1p (one penny), 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 (one pound), and £2, whilst banknotes are issued in denominations of £5, £10, and £20.
St Helena does not have a central bank of its own, and the only banking services on the island are provided by a commercial bank, the Bank of St. Helena. St. Helena banknotes and coins are issued by the St. Helena Government, not the Bank of St. Helena.
[edit] Notes for visitors
(For more information please see the the Bank of St. Helena website www.sainthelenabank.com)
Saint Helena banknotes are accepted on Saint Helena and Ascension Island only. Note that they cannot be exchanged in UK banks.
They can be obtained while sailing to the island on the RMS Saint Helena, or from the Bank of St. Helena on arrival.
UK pound sterling banknotes are also accepted on the island. Some outlets may accept other major currencies.
Credit cards and debit cards are not widely accepted on the island, so it is advisable to bring travellers cheques, which can be exchanged at the Bank of St. Helena, or cash. The Bank of St. Helena can make cash advances on some major credit cards and debit cards.
Notes and coins from other UK territories, including the Falkland Islands are not normally accepted in outlets.
[edit] Exchange rates
To see the latest exchange rates published by the Bank of St. Helena please refer to its website at www.sainthelenabank.com
Indicative rates for other currencies can be obtained as follows:
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