2 Pounds - Elizabeth II The Griffin of Edward III

The Griffin of Edward III is the fourth entry in the Royal Mint's Queen's Beasts series, drawn from the ten heraldic supporters flanking the Queen's coronation chair at Westminster Abbey in 1953. Edward III adopted the gold griffin as a personal badge in the fourteenth century, distinct from the royal arms proper — a deliberate choice that reflected his ambitions during the early decades of the Hundred Years' War.

British Indian Ocean Territory issues are struck for collector distribution rather than circulation, as the territory's permanent population consists entirely of UK and US military personnel who transact in their respective home currencies.