It is fixed at parity with sterling, and so both currencies are commonly accepted and circulated within Saint Helena.

Tristan da Cunha, the third part of the territory, officially adopted sterling.

[1] Initially, sterling coin circulated on Saint Helena, in units of a pound divided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.

One coin, a copper halfpenny, was struck in 1821, specifically for use in the islands, and intermingled with sterling coinage.

Prior to February 1961, the South African pound, which was then equal in value to sterling, was also accepted on the island, but that ceased with the introduction of the new decimal South African rand, with one rand being worth only 10 shillings sterling.

During that period, the island was used as a penal location for high-ranking political prisoners, including Napoleon Bonaparte.

Tristan da Cunha is not included on the series by name because the island chain was originally not politically incorporated into the St. Helena and Ascension Colony at the time of the currency's official release.

Later issues have yet to include Tristan da Cunha's name as an incorporated territory.

Non-circulating commemoratives and unofficial coins are issued separately under the name of Tristan da Cunha and the uninhabited Gough Island, but are not recognised legal tender.

The following table shows the current designs: Especially in comparison to other British colonies, St. Helena has a long history of issuing its own currencies, which have come and gone over various economic periods.

All international transfers have to be done in sterling, euros, South African rand, or United States dollars.