British Virgin Islands 2002 - Great Explorers: Sir Walter Raleigh - Unc Cupro Nickel

The British Virgin Islands comprise the eastern part of the Virgin Islands archipelago which are primarily volcanic in origin.  These quiet and peaceful Islands, of which Tortola is the largest are grouped around the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

The first coin in the 'Explorer Series' features Sir Francis Drake while the second coin portrays Sir Walter Raleigh with his vessel with a scene of the British Virgin Islands in the background. 

Sir Walter Raleigh was born in 1552 at Hayes Barton in Devon. Once introduced to court, he became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. Raleigh organised many expeditions to the New World and brought both the potato and tobacco back to England.