Britannia (coin)
| United Kingdom | |
| Value | 2 pounds sterling |
|---|---|
| Mass | 31.21 g |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Edge | Milled |
| Composition |
.958 silver (1997 - 2012) .999 silver (2013 - present) |
| Years of minting | 1997-present |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Designer | Ian Rank-Broadley |
| Design date | 1998 |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Britannia |
| Designer | Robert Hunt |
| Design date | 2013 |
Britannia coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997.
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 £1.[1]
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]
Gold Britannia
From 2013 the gold coins have a millesimal fineness of .9999 (or 24 carat gold). Until 2012 the gold coins have a millesimal fineness of .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, not total weight)
- Five ounces: diameter 65 mm, (156.295 g)
- One ounce: diameter 38.61 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)
- Half ounce: diameter 27.00 mm, (15.552 g)
- Quarter ounce: diameter 22.00 mm,(7.776 g)
- Tenth ounce: diameter 16.50 mm, (3.110 g)
Silver Britannia
From 2013 the silver coins have a millesimal fineness of .999 (99.9% silver). From 1997-2012 the silver coins have a millesimal fineness of 958 (95.8% or Britannia silver).
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.
Silver Britannia mintages
| Year | Uncirculated | 1oz Proof (Orders / Issue Limit) | Proof sets (Orders / Issue Limit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | – | 16,005 | 11,832 |
| 1998 | 88,909 | 3,044 | 3,044 |
| 1999 | 69,394 | – | – |
| 2000 | 81,301 | – | – |
| 2001 | 44,816 | 4,596 | 10,000 |
| 2002 | 48,816 | – | – |
| 2003 | 73,271 | 2,016 / 5,000 | 3,669 / 5,000 |
| 2004 | 100,000 | 2,174 / 5,000 | – |
| 2005 | 100,000 | 1,539 / 2,500 | 2,360 / 3,500 |
| 2006 | 100,000 | 2,529 / 2,750 | – |
| 2007 | 100,000 | 5,157 / 7,500 | 2,500 |
| 2008 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2009 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2010 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2011 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2012 | 100,000 | 2,500 | - |
| 2013 | Mint to Order | 2,500 | - |
Sources:
1. "Silver Britannia Mintage". Silver Bullion World. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
2. "2003 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
3. "2004 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
4. "2005 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
5. "2006 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
6. "2007 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
7. "2008 Dated UK Collector Coin Sales".
See also
- Bullion coin (e.g. American Gold Eagle, Australian Gold Nugget, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, Krugerrand South Africa)
- Chinese lunar coins
- Gold as an investment
- Islamic gold dinar
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mrs Thatcher? No that's Britannia! One in four adults cannot recognise figure that has symbolised Britain since Roman times Daily Mail 30 July 2013
- Krause, Chester L., and Clifford Mishler (2004). 2005 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901–Present (32nd ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873497945.
- Coins of England & The United Kingdom, 40th ed., Spink, 2005, ISBN 1-902040-59-7