British Gold Britannia Coins
Gold Britannias - the flagship gold coin of Britain's renowned Royal Mint
The British Gold Britannia coins are minted since 1987 as the flagship gold bullion coin of Britain's Royal Mint, one of the most renowned mints in the world. The coins are known and named for their display of the female idol Britannia on their reverse side. Although the Gold Britannias have a standard design that is used in most years, there were certain years when a unique design of that female idol who symbolizes the British Isles was displayed on the coins.
From their inaugural issue until 2012, the coins were minted out of 91.67% pure gold. In 2013, the gold purity was raised to 99.99%, making the coins join the ranks of the 24 karat gold bullion coins. Both brilliant uncirculated and proof versions of the coins are offered but the four largest denominations (2 oz, 5 oz, 30 oz and 1 kg) only exist as proof coins. The 1/40 oz Gold Britannia is actually Britain's smallest gold coin and the largest Gold Britannias are 30 oz coins that were only minted in 2017. If you want to buy gold coins like the Gold Britannias in larger quantities and not just individually, you could also buy mint tubes of 10 coins and even mint boxes of 100 coins.
Their legal tender status makes all Britannia gold coins exempt from the payment of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in the UK (and VAT free in the UK and EU). If you are investing in gold for your retirement, it is worth noting that the coins are fully eligible to be included in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's). Actual annual mintage depends on the current market demand and final mintage numbers are not published by the Royal Mint.
Coin Specifications
| Weight | Face Value | Purity | Diameter x Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | £ 1,000 | 99.9% | 100 x ?? mm |
| 30 oz | £ 800 | 99.99% | 100 x ?? mm |
| 5 oz | £ 500 | 99.99% | 65 x ?? mm |
| 2 oz | £ 200 | 99.99% | 40 x ?? mm |
| 1 oz | £ 100 | 99.99%* | 32.69 x 2.7 mm** |
| 1/2 oz | £ 50 | 99.99%* | 27 x 2.08 mm |
| 1/4 oz | £ 25 | 99.99%* | 22 x 1.63 mm |
| 1/10oz | £ 10 | 99.99%* | 16.5 x 1.2 mm |
| 1/20oz | £ 1 | 99.99% | 12 x 0.83 mm |
| 1/40oz | 50 Pence | 99.99% | 8 x ?? mm |
* 91.67% pure until 2012
** 38.61 x ?? mm in 2013
British Gold Britannia Coin Designs
Gold Britannia Coin Design
The obverse side of the Britannia gold bullion coins depicts Queen Elizabeth II in profile. The design of the obverse side of the coin first changed in 1998 when Queen Elizabeth II's "Third Portrait" was replaced by the "Fourth Portrait" bearing a more mature likeness of her majesty. The current "Fifth Portrait" of an older Queen is displayed on the coins since 2016. The corresponding legal tender face value is also engraved on the obverse side of each coin.
The reverse side with its Britannia design was inspired by ancient Roman coins. It was during the rule of the Roman Emperor Hadrian that coins were first produced featuring the Britannia image. In Roman times, Britannia was used as a term for what is now Great Britain. The Roman figure Boudica with its similar look may have been the inspiration for the Britannia image.
The standard reverse design depicts a helmet-clad standing Britannia holding an olive branch and shield in her left hand and a long trident in her right. The reverse side also displays the coin's actual gold weight, gold purity and year of mintage.
For the 2021 edition of the Gold Britannia coins, four new security features were added to the reverse side design in an effort to combat counterfeiting. These highly advanced anti-counterfeiting security features were also introduced on the Silver Britannia coins that same year.
History of the British Gold Britannias
Production of the British Gold Britannias started in 1987. Until 2012, the coins were made out of 91.67% gold (22 carat). In 1990, the other non-gold component was changed from copper to silver. The 1/20 oz coin was only added to the series in 2013, the same year that the gold purity was raised from 91.67% to 99.99% (24 carat). The 1/40 oz coin was added to the series in 2014.
The year 2017 saw the introduction of a new security feature on the Britannia coins. Now, the background field behind the Britannia design on the reverse side is filled with a radial sunburst design. That hard-to-duplicate design is meant as an added anti-counterfeiting measure. The 2018 coins introduced a new guilloché background design on the obverse side. The 2021 edition of the coins then became even more counterfeit-proof with the implementation of four highly advanced security features that arguably set a new standard for coin security in the world.
The design of the British Britannia gold coins changed frequently. The design of the obverse side of the coin changed in 1998 when Queen Elizabeth II's "Third Portrait" was replaced by the "Fourth Portrait" bearing a more mature likeness of her majesty. Since 2016, the coins display the "Fifth Portrait" showing an older Queen.
The design of the coin's reverse side differs from the standard design in the years 1997 (Britannia driving a war chariot), 2001 (Britannia with a male lion), 2003 (head portrait of a leftward facing Britannia), 2005 (seated Britannia), 2007 (seated Britannia with a male lion by her side), 2008 (Britannia near the sea with a lighthouse in the background), 2009 (Britannia driving a war chariot - same as in 1997), 2010 (portrait of Britannia wearing a Corinthian-style helmet and looking to the right) and 2011 (seated Britannia with the superimposed British flag).
Proof Britannia coins with an annually changing special Britannia design on their reverse side are produced in limited mintages since 2013. That year also saw the introduction of 5 oz Gold Britannia coins (only as proofs). In 2013, the proof version of the coins showed a seated Britannia with an owl sitting on her lap. The 2014 design showed a standing Britannia with a seated lion in front of a giant sphere. The 2015 proofs display Britannia in profile looking to the left with the seashore and a ship in the background. On the 2016 proof coins, Britannia stands looking out near the seashore again, this time with a majestic lion by her side.
The Britannia design on the 2017 proof coins is meant to show a Britain that is evolving while simultaneously remaining rooted in history. The 2017 proof Gold Britannias also feature an anniversary trident mint mark with the number 30 as a way to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the coin. Furthermore, a 30 oz proof Gold Britannia (maximum mintage of 21 coins was not reached and only 6 such coins were actually minted) was released in 2017, the first 30 oz gold coin in the Royal Mint's history.
The Britannia on the 2018 proof coins wears a helmet that is adorned with flowers. The 2019 proof design by the artist David Lawrence depicts Britannia standing boldly with a lion by her side. It was also that year that 2 oz proof Gold Britannias were first issued. The 2020 proof design then showed Lady Britannia standing firmly near the windy sea.
The latest proof design for 2021 by the artist P. J. Lynch shows Britannia holding a shield and trident in her left hand while resting her right hand on the back of a male lion that is resting at her feet. In addition to the brilliant uncirculated and proof coins, a third version was added to the lineup of Gold Britannia coins in 2021. This 3rd version consists of special proof coins that were minted with new minting technology (to create the impression of rolling waves in the background). This new version of the coins is named Premium Exclusive and features yet another design of Lady Britannia. The design of the 2021 Premium Exclusive edition (available in 2 oz and 1 kg) was created by P. J. Lynch as well and shows Britannia up close and in profile. The 1 kg Premium Exclusive coins that were issued in 2021 were the first-ever 1 kg Gold Britannia coins and their mintage is limited to a maximum of 5 pieces.
In 2018 and 2019, the Royal Mint also issued special 1 oz British Gold Britannias whose reverse side features an ornate oriental border design which was inspired by the Chinese-themed rooms at Buckingham Palace and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. Gold Britannia coins with yet another different kind of oriental border (this time inspired by the British Trade Dollar) were then again issued in 2020. Total mintage of each of the three different kinds of Oriental Border Gold Britannias was limited to 5,000 coins.
Mintage Numbers
The Royal Mint produces the bullion version of the British Britannia gold coin without a mintage cap each year. Actual and accurate production figures are not available as the annual mintage not only depends on market demand but also on the gold supply that is available to the mint at the time. Annual mintage numbers of the proof version of the coins are always capped though.
British Silver Britannias
The Royal Mint started issuing British Silver Britannia coins in 1997, but only as proofs at first. Brilliant uncirculated coins are minted since 1998. The coins were minted out of 95.8% fine silver until 2012. The silver purity was raised to 99.9% in 2013. Since then, brilliant uncirculated Silver Britannias are minted according to market demand without an annual maximum mintage. Just like the gold version, the coins display the standard design of a standing Britannia in most years. Proof coins display a different Britannia design each year since 2013. Many different denominations of the coins between 1/40 oz and 2 kg exist and some denominations are only available as proofs.
The British Silver Britannia page gives more information about the coins and allows you to compare current prices.
British Platinum Britannias
For the 20th anniversary of the popular Gold Britannias in 2007, Britain's Royal Mint released the first limited mintage of proof Platinum Britannias. In 2018, the coins were then first released as bullion coins. The female idol Britannia is displayed on the reverse side of the platinum version of the coins, just like on the gold and silver version. Brilliant uncirculated coins are available in the two sizes of 1 oz and 1/10 oz. The coins are 99.95% fine just like all contemporary platinum bullion coins. The British Platinum Britannia coins are fully backed by the British government that guarantees their weight and purity. The legal tender coins are also exempt from the UK Capital Gains Tax.
The British Platinum Britannia page gives more information about the coins and allows you to compare current prices.
British Britannia Gold Coin Sets
2 Coin Gold Britannia Proof Set 1987
total gold weight: 0.35 oz
This set was released in the first year that Great Britain Gold Britannia coins were minted. It contains a proof 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz Gold Britannia from 1987. The coins were still 91.67% pure back then. A certificate of authenticity is included with the coins in the original mint box.
4 Coin Proof Sets 1987 - 2012
total gold weight: 1.85 oz
4 coin Gold Britannia proof sets (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz coins + certificate of authenticity) were issued from 1987 until 2012. Mintage started out with 10,000 sets in 1987 and then declined regularly down to 550 sets in 2012. Limited Edition presentations of this set include a bonus medaillon in some years.
5 Coin Gold Britannia Proof Set 2013
total gold weight: 1.9 oz
With the addition of the 1/20 oz coin to the Britannia lineup in 2013, the proof set changed to a 5 coin set (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz) that year. Furthermore, proof Britannia coins (both gold & silver) bear an annually changing special Britannia design on their reverse side since 2013 as well.
6 Coin Proof Sets since 2014
total gold weight: 1.925 oz
After the Gold Britannia proof set had expanded to 5 coins in 2013 with the addition of the 1/20 oz coin, the proof set expanded again by one coin in 2014. One of the world's smallest gold coins, the 1/40 oz Gold Britannia coin, was added to the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz coins that had already been in the set.
3 Coin Proof Sets since 2014
total gold weight: 0.175 oz
This proof set contains the three smallest Gold Britannias, the coins in the denominations of 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz and 1/40 oz. The set is packaged in a beautiful wooden box and a certificate of authenticity is included. Mintage of this set is severely limited (250 sets in 2015) just like for the 3 coin premium proof set below.
3 Coin Premium Proof Sets since 2013
total gold weight: 0.85 oz
Proof coins bear an annually changing special Britannia design on their reverse side since 2013. The 3 coin Premium Proof Set contains the 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz proof coins. A certificate of authenticity is included as well. Annual mintage of these sets is severely limited (about 100 - 125 sets).