Gibraltar has long used commemorative 50 pence issues as a revenue stream, licensing historical and British military subjects with unusual frequency. This piece marks the Royal Marines' role in the 1982 Falklands conflict, specifically the defence of Government House in Stanley on 2 April — the morning of the Argentine invasion — where a small detachment held off a far larger force for several hours before Governor Rex Hunt ordered surrender to avoid further casualties.
The action earned the detachment considerable recognition, with Hunt later knighted and several Marines decorated.
Gibraltar has long used commemorative 50 pence issues as a revenue stream, licensing historical and British military subjects with unusual frequency. This piece marks the Royal Marines' role in the 1982 Falklands conflict, specifically the defence of Government House in Stanley on 2 April — the morning of the Argentine invasion — where a small detachment held off a far larger force for several hours before Governor Rex Hunt ordered surrender to avoid further casualties.
The action earned the detachment considerable recognition, with Hunt later knighted and several Marines decorated.