Queen Elizabeth II 25th Anniversary Coronation First Day Cover, Antigua postmarked on June 2, 1978.

Antigua

Antigua, nestling between Guadaloupe, Montserrat and Barbuda in the Leeward Islands, consists of limestone and volcanic rocks. Rolling, scrub-covered hills gave way to fertile fields and pastures, and in the southwest to eroded volcanoes and densely vegetated tropical valleys. Discovered in 1493 by Columbus, and settled by a few English in 1623, Antigua's economy developed in the usual Caribbean pattern of plantation slavery, leading to present day problems of overdependence on cotton and sugar. The island was, for a while, the base of Admiral Lord Nelson, Commander-in-Chief of the Leeward Island Squadron, protecting British revenues from the French. Serving under him, and reflecting the naval interests of the Royal Family, was Prince William, later to become King William IV. Antigua, a self governing associated state since 1967, is today rapidly developing its tourist trade, the bulk of which comes from North America.

This Coronation Anniversary issue, designed by Waddington, shows various Coronation scenes surrounded by a Tudor Rose border. The rose, a medieval Christian symbol of heavenly bliss, charity, mercy and victory, was adopted into British heraldry from the arms of Queen Eleanor of Provence (Henry Ill's bride). Her golden rose spawned the red rose of Lancaster, then the white one of York. The warring houses eventually re-united in the Tudor Rose by the marriage of Henry VII.

10c — H.M the Queen and H.R.H the Duke of Edinburgh are depicted as they appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet the assembled crowds.

30c — The Archbishop of Canterbury raises St. Edward's Crown at the moment of crowning. The Queen holds the Royal Sceptre and the Sceptre with Dove.

50c — This stamp shows the Coronation Coach flanked by footmen, the leading horses with mounted postillions.

90c — The Queen, now wearing the Crown of England, sits on St. Edward's throne, receiving the acclamation of the Peers, Peeresses and other subjects.

$2.50 — Still adorned in the Coronation robes, the Queen now wears the Imperial State Crown, worn on all State occasions.