SOUTH GEORGIA ISL 2 POUNDS 2007 BU = HMS PLYMOUTH =

 A single legal tender commemorative has been approved for release by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands which shows a Royal Marine raising the White Ensign at Grytviken in the background is HMS PLYMOUTH with a Wasp Helicopter behind and a Wessex Helicopter in front. 1982 was to become the most significant chapter in H.M.S. Plymouth’s history. She was to take part in every campaign in the Falklands conflict, fire over 900 4.5 inch shells, destroy 5 enemy aircraft and steam a total of 34,000 miles and after the recapturing of South Georgia (the surrender document was signed in her wardroom), H.M.S. Plymouth headed north to join the Task Force.


Prooflike UNC , Copper-Nickel , 38.8mm

Although history tends to focus on the invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982, it must be remembered that the prelude to this was the invasion of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Argentina had long claimed South Georgia not so much in it’s own right but as a dependency of the Falkland Islands and this claim was enforced by the Argentine Businessman who landed a vessel at Leith on the 19th March without first reporting to the Island’s Magistrate. For the following week protracted diplomatic discussions took place to resolve this incursion but on the 25th March the Argentines landed approximately 100 Marines at Leith.

On the 3rd April the Argentinians arrived at Grytviken and initial exchanges of fire occurred with the small number of Royal Marines and civilians eventually surrendering to the Argentine forces. The Argentine occupation of South Georgia was short lived and on the 26th April 1982 the Argentine military formally surrendered to British troops who had returned on HMS Plymouth.