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Britannia (coin)

Britannia coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold since 1987, in silver since 1997, and in platinum since 2018. The reverse of the coin patterns feature various depictions of Britannia, a feminine personification of the United Kingdom while the obverse features a monarch effigy with the legend around it.

Britannia gold coins contain one troy ounce of gold and have a face value of £100. Gold Britannias also are issued in fractional sizes of one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth of a troy ounce and with face values of £50, £25, and £10 respectively. In 2013, two additional sizes were introduced, a five-ounce coin of face value £500, and a fractional size of one-twentieth of face value £5.[citation needed]

Britannia silver coins contain one troy ounce of silver and have a face value of £2. Silver Britannias also are issued in fractional sizes of one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth of a troy ounce and with face values of £1, 50p, and 20p respectively. Like the gold coins in 2013, two additional sizes were introduced, a five-ounce coin of face value £10, and a fractional size of one-twentieth of face value 10p.[1]

2023 marked the first year that King Charles III was depicted on the Obverse. Queen Elizabeth II had featured on all previous ones.

Gold Britannia

From 2013 the gold coins have a millesimal fineness of 0.9999 (or 24 carat gold). Until 2012 the gold coins have a millesimal fineness of 0.917 (91.7% or 22 carat gold) with the non-gold component being copper until 1989 and silver from 1990.

2013– Gold Britannia specifications (gold content and approx. total weight)

Five ounces: diameter 65 mm (156.295 g)
One ounce (2013) : diameter 38.61 mm (31.104 g) 'larger thinner coin' just for 2013
One ounce (2014–) : diameter 32.69 mm (31.104 g)
Half ounce: diameter 27 mm (15.60 g)
One quarter ounce: diameter 22 mm (7.86 g)
One tenth ounce: diameter 16.50 mm (3.13 g)
One twentieth ounce: diameter 12 mm (1.58 g)

1987–2012 Gold Britannia specifications (gold content, not total weight)

One ounce: diameter 32.69 mm (31.104 g; total wt 34.050 g)
Half ounce: diameter 27 mm, (15.552 g)
Quarter ounce: diameter 22 mm (7.776 g)
Tenth ounce: diameter 16.5 mm, (3.11 g)


Gold Britannias are struck to an unlimited mintage every year.[2]

Silver Britannia

Since 2013 the silver coins have been produced with a millesimal fineness of 0.999 (99.9% silver).[3] They have a mass of 31.21 grams and diameter of 38.61 mm.[4]

From 1997 to 2012 the silver coins had a millesimal fineness of 958 (95.8% or Britannia silver). Total mass 32.45 grams, diameter 40.00 mm.[5]

Silver Britannias have been released each year beginning in 1997, when a silver proof set was offered. In 1998 and in all subsequent even-numbered years the reverse design has depicted a standing Britannia figure. Beginning in 1999 and continuing in odd-numbered years, a series of alternate, non-repeating depictions of Britannia have replaced the standing figure on the reverse. Starting in 2013, the proof versions of the coin will feature a different design each year, while the bullion version of the coin will always feature the classic standing Britannia. While mintage was limited prior to 2013, in 2013 and after mintage of the bullion version of the coin is unlimited based on demand.[3]

Some 2014 silver Britannia coins were struck with the incorrect obverse as there was a mix up during the manufacturing process with the 'Lunar' Year of the Horse coins from The Royal Mint, as both coins were to the same fineness and specification,[6] and similar but not identical obverse sides. It is thought that there are around 17,000 examples with the mis-strike, which have been dubbed the 'Mule Britannia' These coins have fetched substantial premiums on online auction sites.[7]

Silver Britannia mintages

The following table has the most recent numbers of coins minted by year.[8]

Coin designs

The reverse design of the first silver Britannia from 1997

See also

References

  1. ^ "Exploring the Rich History of UK Britannia Silver Coins (2023 Update) | Silver Bullion". www.silverbullion.com.sg. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Buy Gold Britannias | JM Bullion™". www.jmbullion.com. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Britannia Silver Coin". The Royal Mint. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  4. ^ "2020 Britannia One Ounce Silver Brilliant Uncirculated Coin". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  5. ^ 2012 Silver Britannia specifications
  6. ^ "Lunar Year of the Horse 2014 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin". Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  7. ^ "'Mule' Britannia: error versions of silver £2 coins surface". 3 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Silver Britannia Mintage". Silver Bullion World. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  9. ^ "2003 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  10. ^ "2004 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  11. ^ "2005 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  12. ^ "2006 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  13. ^ "2007 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  14. ^ "2008 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  15. ^ "2009 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  16. ^ "2010 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  17. ^ "2011 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
  18. ^ "1999 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins". 24carat.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  19. ^ "2001 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins". 24carat.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  20. ^ "2005 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins". 24carat.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  21. ^ "2007 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins". 24carat.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  22. ^ "2008 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins". 24carat.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  23. ^ "The Enduring Icon of Britain". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  24. ^ "David Mach - Britannia Coin Designer | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  25. ^ "Britannia £2 Silver Bullion Coin Revealed". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  26. ^ "2013 Britannia Gold and Silver Proof Coins — World Mint News Blog". world.mintnewsblog.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Behind the design: Britannia 2014 | The Royal Mint Blog". 24 March 2019. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Britannia the changing face of Britain". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Britannia, The Changing Face of Britain | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  30. ^ "My Britannia". Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Designers' Inspiration Series: David Lawrence - 2018 Britannia". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  32. ^ "2019 Britannia Range The Spirit of a Nation". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  33. ^ "2020 Britannia coins from Royal Mint". Numismag. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  34. ^ Woodgate, Mik (18 March 2021). "The Royal Mints 2021 proof Britannia range breaks cover and it could be the best since 2014". AgAuNEWS. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Making Modern Britannia Product Designer Dan Thorne The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  36. ^ "Royal Mint launches new Britannia coin to celebrate International Women's Day". North Wales Pioneer. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  37. ^ "Meet the Maker Britannia 2023 Commemorative Coin | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  38. ^ "Britannia 2024: Behind the Design | The Royal Mint". www.royalmint.com. Retrieved 11 March 2024.