Britannia (coin)

Britannia (One ounce silver)
United Kingdom
Value2 pounds sterling
Mass
  • 32.45g (1997–2012)
  • 31.21g (2013–present)
 g
Diameter
  • 40.00mm (1997–2012)
  • 38.61mm (2013–present day)
 mm
Thickness3 mm (2013–present day) mm
EdgeMilled
Composition
  • .958 silver (1997–2012)
  • .999 silver (2013–present)
Years of minting1997–present
Obverse
DesignQueen Elizabeth II
DesignerJody Clark
Design date2015
Reverse
DesignBritannia
DesignerPhilip Nathan
Design date1987

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.

  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.