Great Britain Britannia

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 coin patterns feature various depictions of Britannia, a feminine personification of the United Kingdom. Britannia gold coins contain one troy ounce of gold with a face value of £100. Gold Britannias 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. From 2013 on, the gold coins have a millesimal fineness of 0.9999 (or 24 carat gold). Until 2012, the gold coins are minted with a fineness of 0.917 (91.7% or 22 carat gold) with the non-gold component being copper until 1989 and silver from 1990.

Britannia silver coins contain one troy ounce of silver with a face value of £2. Silver Britannias are also 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. 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. Since 2013, the silver coins have been produced with a millesimal fineness of 0.999 (99.9% silver). They have a mass of 31.21 grams and a diameter of 38.61 mm.

Silver Britannias have been released each year beginning in 1997, when a silver proof set was offered. In 1998 and 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 will always feature the classic standing Britannia. While mintage was limited before 2013, after that year, the mintage of the bullion version is unlimited based on demand.

Silver Bullion Mintage (.999 from 2013 on)

Design

 Obverse: The obverse side of the coin depicts another female’s image, who has come to embody Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch is portrayed in profile, regally attired in her trademark diadem. Stamped on the front of the coin is the queen’s name (Elizabeth II), the coin’s legal tender 2-pound denomination, and the Latin abbreviation for “Dei Gratia Regina”, which translates into “Queen by the Grace of God”.

Reverse: The reverse depicts the famous Britannia figure. In one hand, she holds a trident in honor of Britain’s naval prowess, while in the other, she holds an olive branch with a round shield bearing the Union Jack symbol. These items represent the British Navy’s duty to protect the nation's peace by any means necessary. The coin’s reverse is also stamped in English with the coin’s guaranteed weight (1 Oz), purity (.999 FINE SILVER), the name of the coin (BRITANNIA), and the year of mintage.