English: St. Helena, 1673-1973 tercentenary 25 pence copper-nickel coin. Since 1657, the British East India Company had received the rights to govern the island. But in early 1673, the Dutch attacked Saint Helena and occupied it for a few months. The British East India Company retook the island in May and a new Charter was given by Charles II of England that granted the island free title. So 1673 is neither discovery nor anniversary of British presence on the island, but a milestone in its history and in the Dutch-British competition for trade.