Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, Jersey postmarked on June 26, 1978.
Jersey
Jersey Jersey is situated 15 miles west of the Nor- mandy coast, and 18 miles southeast from Guernsey. It is the largest of the Channel Islands, and consists of an interior plateau with deeply cut valleys, which in the north meets the sea with precipitous cliffs and in the south with pleasant sandy coves. The island is famed for its breed of cattle, its tomatoes, potatoes and fruit, and the equable climate it offers tourists. Substantial income also derives from stone quarrying and fishing, but earlier sources such as smuggling and privateering died out in the 19th century.
Jersey's two coronation anniversary designs were printed by Helio Courvoisier S.A. and released on 26th June, 1978.
8p — Silver Jubilee Crown Effigies. There have been many royal visits to Jersey over the centuries. Charles II (when Prince of Wales) passed through while fleeing from his defeat at the Battle of Worcester, and later rewarded the loyal governor with a territory in America, today known as New Jersey. Queen Victoria was the next monarch to come to the island, successfully re-arousing the islanders' sense of loyalty, which had been subdued by a high-handed governor. Certain lords and ladies of Jersey manors assembled in 1921 requesting to pay homage to George V, and islanders were delighted to see George VI on an unexpected trip within weeks of liberation from wartime Nazi occupation. Elizabeth herself has visited both as Princess in 1949, and as Queen in 1957. This design, based on the Silver Jubilee Crown effigies, was timed for release immediately before her visit on June 27th, 1978.
25p — Hallmarks of the Reign. Hallmarks have been required by statute since the time of Edward I to show that goods made of silver or gold conform to certain standards of purity. Hallmarks nowadays generally include the maker's initials, a locality mark, a year code, and a standard (karat or decimal equivalent). The use of the sovereign's head in profile began in George Ill's reign to signify that duty on plate had been paid. In this design the Coronation profile is joined by the new Assay Office profile based on a Peter Grugeon Jubilee portrait.
