In 1976, the St. Helena government began issuing new, decimal banknotes for use on the island, with the introduction of circulation coins intended for use on St. Helena and Ascension beginning in 1984. The use of those coins and notes was extended to Ascension island later to Tristan da Cunha, as well. Saint Helena used sterling|British currency] until 1976, when it began to issue its own banknotes at par with sterling. Whereas circulating coins are struck with “Saint Helena • Ascension”, the banknotes only say "Government of St. Helena".