From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
Britannia (coin)
British bullion coins
British bullion coins
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Britannia (One ounce silver) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Value | 2 |
| Unit | pounds sterling |
| Mass | |
| Diameter | |
| Thickness | 3 mm (2013–present day) |
| Edge | Milled |
| Composition | |
| Years of Minting | 1997–present |
| Obverse | Obverse_of_the_2016_Britannia_bullion_coin.png |
| Obverse Design | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Obverse Designer | Jody Clark |
| Obverse Design Date | 2015 |
| Reverse | Britannia-2016-UK-One-Ounce-Silver-Bullion-Coin Reverse.png |
| Reverse Design | Britannia |
| Reverse Designer | Philip Nathan |
| Reverse Design Date | 1987 |
The Britannia is a bullion coin issued by the Royal Mint. It has been minted 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 Great Britain, while the obverse features the effigy of the monarch of the United Kingdom with the legend around it.
Britannia gold coins contain one troy ounce of gold and have a face value of £100. Up to 2012, the gold was 22 carat (0.917 gold), but since 2013 has been fine gold (0.9999 gold). The coins are also 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.
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.
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) :One fortieth ounce: diameter 8 mm (0.80g)
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.
Silver Britannia
Since 2013 the silver coins have been produced with a millesimal fineness of 0.999 (99.9% silver). | access-date = 2020-03-30
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.
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.
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, 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.
Silver Britannia mintages
The following table has the most recent numbers of coins minted by year.
| Year | Uncirculated | 1 oz proof (orders / issue limit) | Proof sets (orders / issue limit) | 5 oz proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 (.958 Ag) | – | 16,005 | 11,832 | Not available |
| 1998 (.958 Ag) | 88,909 | 3,044 | 3,044 | |
| 1999 (.958 Ag) | 69,394 | No proof coins released | No proof coins released | |
| 2000 (.958 Ag) | 81,301 | |||
| 2001 (.958 Ag) | 44,816 | 4,596 | 10,000 | |
| 2002 (.958 Ag) | 48,816 | No proof coins released | No proof coins released | |
| 2003 (.958 Ag) | 73,271 | 2,016 / 5,000 | 3,669 / 5,000 | |
| 2004(.958 Ag) | 100,000 | 2,174 / 5,000 | – | |
| 2005(.958 Ag) | 1,539 / 2,500 | 2,360 / 3,500 | ||
| 2006(.958 Ag) | 2,529 / 2,750 | 3,000 / 3,000 (The Silhouette Collection encompasses five styles, which are 1 oz .999 silver & gold gilt) | ||
| 2007(.958 Ag) | 5,157 / 7,500 | 2,500 / 2,500 (Sold out) | ||
| 2008(.958 Ag) | 2,500 / 2,500 (Sold out) | |||
| 2009(.958 Ag) | 6,784 | |||
| 2010(.958 Ag) | 126,367 | 6,539 | 3,497 | |
| 2011(.958 Ag) | 100,000 | 4,973 | 2,483 / 2,500 | |
| 2012 (.958 Ag) | 2,500 | – | ||
| 2013 (.999 Ag) | Mint to order | 2,500 in limited edition presentation, maximum mintage 8,500 | – | 1,150 in limited edition presentation, 3,500 in First Strike Presentation, maximum mintage 4,650 |
| 2013 (.999 Ag) Snake privy rim | 300,000 | 0 | – | 0 |
| 2014 (.999 Ag) | Mint to order | 2,981 Individual mintage | 1,750 in limited edition presentation, 550 in First Strike Presentation | 600 in limited edition presentation, 750 in First Strike Presentation, maximum mintage 1,350 |
| 2014 (.999 Ag) Horse privy rim | 1,000,000 | 0 | – | 0 |
| 2015 (.999 Ag) | Mint to order | 4,240 Individual mintage | unknown | 995 limit |
| 2015 (.999 Ag) Ram privy rim | 200,000 | 0 | – | 0 |
| 2016 (.999 Ag) | Mint to order | 4,137 Individual mintage | unknown | 783 limit |
| 2016 (.999 Ag) Monkey privy rim | 176,300 | – | 0 | |
| 2017 (.999 Ag) | 5,225 Individual mintage | 656 Limit | ||
| 2017 (.999 Ag) Rooster privy rim | – | – | – | – |
| 2017 (.999 Ag) Dog privy rim | 1 mintage error known | – | – | – |
| 2018 (.999 Ag) Dog privy rim | – | – | – | – |
| 2018 (.999 Ag) | 3,630 Individual mintage | 430 Limit | ||
| 2019 (.999 Ag) | 2,995 Individual mintage | 340 limit | ||
| 2019 (.999 Ag) Pig privy rim | - | - | - | - |
| 2020 (.999 Ag) | 4,960 Individual limit | 250 limit | ||
| 2020 (.999 Ag) Rat privy rim | – | – | – | – |
| 2021 (.999 Ag) | 2,900 Individual limit | 250 limit | ||
| 2022 (.999 Ag) | 3,500 Individual limit | 350 limit | ||
| 2023 (.999 Ag) | 3,450 Individual limit | 420 limit | ||
| 2024 (.999 Ag) | 3,500 Individual limit | 556 limit |
Platinum Britannia
From 2018, platinum Britannias have been minted, with a millesimal fineness of 0.9995.
Coin designs
| Year | Metal | Finish | Artist | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Gold & Silver | Proof | Philip Nathan | Britannia riding horse-drawn chariot | |
| 1998 | Brilliant Uncirculated | Classic standing Britannia | |||
| 1999 | Brilliant Uncirculated | Philip Nathan | Britannia riding horse-drawn chariot | In 1999, the silver Britannia repeated the Boudicca in chariot design used in 1997, but was only issued in the uncirculated bullion (non-proof) version, as opposed to 1997 when it was only issued in the proof version. | |
| 2000 | Bullion | Classic standing Britannia | |||
| 2001 | Philip Nathan | With lion, vertical text | This year features a new design, Britannia is shown standing, accompanied by a lion, similar to the Una and the Lion reverse used on the very rare 1839 £5 gold coins. | ||
| 2002 | Classic standing Britannia | ||||
| 2003 | Philip Nathan | Britannia wearing a helmet with waves in the background | |||
| 2004 | Classic standing Britannia | ||||
| 2005 | Philip Nathan | Seated Britannia | features a seated figure of Britannia, similar to that used on halfpennies and farthings from 1672, which in turn reflects the original personification of Britannia on Roman coins of Hadrian. | ||
| 2006 | Classic standing Britannia | ||||
| 2007 | Christopher Le Brun | Seated Britannia with lion | features a seated figure of Britannia, with large shield bearing the Union Flag (Union Jack), with a lion at her feet, and what looks like the white cliffs of Dover and a sailing yacht in the background. | ||
| 2008 | John Bergdahl | With large waves | This year's Britannia has a new design featuring Britannia on the beach, with giant waves and a lighthouse in the background. | ||
| 2009 | Philip Nathan | The 2009 issue has reverted to the Chariot design last seen in 1999. | |||
| 2010 | Suzie Zamit | In Corinthian-style helmet | Designer Suzie Zamit says: "Britannia is a really important British icon and I wanted to create a design that represents her as a symbol of British liberties and democracy. I felt it was important to portray Britannia as strong - almost Amazonian - and courageous, but not overly warlike, more peaceful and protective". | ||
| 2011 | David Mach | In front of large flag | David Mach talks about his challenge to make Britannia a contemporary image and not just appear nationalistic: 'I worked out a design with as much movement as I could for a small surface area; movement that would encourage people to turn the coin and watch the light shift over the surface like I had done with half-crowns as a boy. My design acts as a lenticular image. The flag and Britannia appear to move reflecting a contemporary Britain; a changing Britain; a Britain which is culturally on the move but still with plenty of reasons to wave the flag.' | ||
| 2012 | Philip Nathan | Classic standing Britannia | It draws its inspiration from a strongly maritime approach, Britannia windswept on a cliff-top, the very essence of authority and elegance. | ||
| 2013 | Proof | Robert Hunt | Britannia and the owl | her head appears turned, symbolizing an interest in lands beyond her borders. She wears a Corinthian helmet and holds Neptune's trident to represent her claim as "ruler of the waves". An owl is present as a symbol of wisdom. | |
| 2014 | Jody Clark | Britannia with lion in front of globe | I wanted to include a lion in this Britannia portrayal too because I had decided upon a very feminine and elegant looking Britannia, and I needed the strong presence of the lion to balance the design out. I didn't want it to be overly soft and flowing. I don't think a lion had featured for a while either so I knew I wanted to include one in mine. | ||
| 2015 | Anthony Dufort | Corinth helmet and shield | Anthony looked back to Greek and Roman coins and statues to ensure authenticity while modelling her trident and Corinthian helmet. | ||
| 2016 | Suzie Zamit | Warrior Britannia with lion | Susie has brought her own perspective to Britannia, 'the warrior queen'. | ||
| 2017 | Louis Tamlyn | British isles forming body | Louis created the design as a first year student at Central Saint Martins college when the Royal Mint requested a 'contemporary interpretation' of Britannia. Louis states: Britannia used to be the name of Great Britain in Roman times and hasn't really been used enough as a visual feature. I think it is important to revive it as a visual feature of the Britannia design as it communicates notions of the history and identity of Britain; by showing Britannia and the island as one it changes our perception. | ||
| 2018 | David Lawrence | In helmet with sunburst behind | Wears traditional British flowers around her helmet. | ||
| 2019 | Proof | With lion, thrusting trident | David said of his of design: "My initial thoughts were influence by the great engravers of the past. Their work has a classical grace and gravitas I was keen to recreate. After all, coins of the realm are a serious business. The lion had to be there somewhere, as did the shield and trident... many of the components were already decided in a way. The result is an Anglicised version of ancient Rome". | ||
| 2020 | James Tottle | Britannia in front of flag with lion on shield | James Tottle said of his design: "I felt that a strong pose with a striking silhouette of Britannia in the foreground alongside the Union flag in the background would produce a well-balanced image; I also wanted to feature the lion so I worked it onto the shield. The image needed some movement and drama so I used crashing wave and a billowing dress to achieve this". | ||
| 2021 | Proof | P.J. Lynch | Britannia with lion | ||
| 2021 | Silver | Brilliant Uncirculated | Contemporary Britannia in helmet looking out to sea | On Premium Exclusive only. | |
| 2022 | Proof | Dan Thorne | Britannia with trident and lion shield | Dan Thorne said of his design: “My goal with this coin was to merge a classical feel with something that appeals to a wider, modern audience. I put the figure in a three-quarter view that we don't normally see her in but kept the iconic distant gaze and proud stance. I wanted to have a fully 3D modelled Britannia but with the background in a flatter, graphic style in order to make her really stand out. I have included all the iconic imagery associated with Britannia – the lion, waves and flag – but, in a more subtle way. All these elements are surrounded by the beading that is reminiscent of older coins.” | |
| 2022 | Gold | Proof | Sandra Deiana | 3 figures of Britannia at different ages | Celebrating International Women's Day the design is inspired by Gustav Klimt's classic 1905 painting ‘The Three ages of Woman’ |
| 2023 | Gold & Silver | Proof | Jonathan Olliffe | Britannia rides a chariot pulled by 2 horses with webbed feet for hooves. | Jonathan Olliffe said of his design: “Britannia should, of course, take centre stage, so she is positioned amongst the ocean waves whilst riding a sled-like chariot. A warrior queen, she is standing tall at the helm and holding onto the reigns of the two rearing sea creatures and pointing her trident forwards towards distant lands. |
| 2024 | Marie-Alice Harel | Features Britannia in profile wearing a helmet with a lion emblem, facing towards a wave. | Marie-Alice Harel 'tried to imagine Britannia as a benevolent and peaceful protector, someone one could trust and turn to in challenging times.' | ||
| 2025 | Gold & Silver | Proof | Bradley Morgan Johnson | Features Britannia with trident and shield against a sea with a large sunburst emanating from behind her head | Bradley Morgan Johnson said, "I love Art Nouveau sculpture and took inspiration from a sculpture of Britannia in this style." |
References
- Coins of England & The United Kingdom, 40th ed., Spink, 2005,
References
- [https://www.hattongardenmetals.com/gold-britannia-coins "Gold Britannias"], hattongardenmetals.com, accessed 21 December 2025
- (2018-10-28). "Exploring the Rich History of UK Britannia Silver Coins (2023 Update) {{!}} Silver Bullion".
- "Buy Gold Britannias {{!}} JM Bullion™".
- "2020 Britannia One Ounce Silver Brilliant Uncirculated Coin".
- [https://www.royalmint.com/The_2012_UK_Britannia_Silver_Proof_One_Ounce_Coin?tab=specification#productdetails 2012 Silver Britannia specifications]
- "Lunar Year of the Horse 2014 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin".
- (3 March 2014). "'Mule' Britannia: error versions of silver £2 coins surface".
- "Silver Britannia Mintage". Silver Bullion World.
- "2003 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2004 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2005 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2006 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2007 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2008 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2009 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2010 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "2011 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
- "1999 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins".
- "2001 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins".
- "2005 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins".
- "2007 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins".
- "2008 Britannia Silver Bullion Coins".
- "The Enduring Icon of Britain".
- "David Mach - Britannia Coin Designer {{!}} The Royal Mint".
- "Britannia £2 Silver Bullion Coin Revealed".
- "2013 Britannia Gold and Silver Proof Coins — World Mint News Blog".
- (2019-03-24). "Behind the design: Britannia 2014 {{!}} The Royal Mint Blog".
- "Britannia the changing face of Britain".
- "Britannia, The Changing Face of Britain {{!}} The Royal Mint".
- "My Britannia".
- "Designers' Inspiration Series: David Lawrence - 2018 Britannia".
- "2019 Britannia Range The Spirit of a Nation".
- (2020-02-10). "2020 Britannia coins from Royal Mint".
- Woodgate, Mik. (2021-03-18). "The Royal Mints 2021 proof Britannia range breaks cover and it could be the best since 2014".
- "Making Modern Britannia Product Designer Dan Thorne The Royal Mint".
- (8 March 2022). "Royal Mint launches new Britannia coin to celebrate International Women's Day".
- "Meet the Maker Britannia 2023 Commemorative Coin {{!}} The Royal Mint".
- "Britannia 2024: Behind the Design {{!}} The Royal Mint".
- "Drawn to Britannia: Bradley Morgan Johnson {{!}} The Royal Mint".
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about Britannia (coin) — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report