English: 1673-1973 tercentenary 25 pence copper-nickel coin of St. Helena. 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.