Postage stamps and postal history of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands the same day. BRC's Gilbert and Ellice Definitive Stamps Postage stamps and postal history of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands The first mail service to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands was ad hoc, depending on which ships were calling at the various islands. A regular service began in 1911; Edward VII postage stamps of Fiji were overprinted and put on sale on 1 January of that year, followed in March by a set of four stamps depicting a "Pandanus" tree, inscribed . These were followed in 1912 by George V stamps of the common type, inscribed . A new definitive
Solomon Islands Independence Medal Solomon Islands Independence Medal The Solomon Islands Independence Medal was created in 1978 to commemorate the transition from self-government to the full independence of the Solomon Islands. It is a part of the Solomon Islands honours system. The medal is round, made of silver coloured metal. The obverse bears the Cecil Thomas portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the inscription "Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina F:D:". The reverse bears the Coat of Arms of the Solomon Islands surrounded by the inscription "Solomon Islands Independence Medal 1978". The medal is held by a ring suspension to a ribbon of equal