British Platinum Britannia Coins
Platinum Britannias - the newest addition to the Britannia coin series
The year 2007 was the first opportunity to buy platinum coins with the Britannia image. That was when Britain's Royal Mint released a limited mintage of proof Platinum Britannias to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Britannia coin series. In 2018, the coins were then first released as brilliant uncirculated bullion coins. The British Platinum Britannia coins are therefore now an integral part of the Britannia bullion coin series that also includes the Gold Britannias and Silver Britannias. Following the recent market introduction of other platinum bullion coins like the Australian Platinum Kangaroos and the Royal Mint's own Queen's Beasts Platinum coins, there is now greater choice than ever before when investing in platinum!
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. The 99.95% fine Platinum Britannia coins are currently available in the sizes of 1 oz, 1/4 oz (only as proofs) and 1/10 oz. The weight and purity of the Britannia platinum coins is guaranteed by the British government. The legal tender coins are also exempt from the UK Capital Gains Tax. The coins are available individually as well as in mint tubes (10 x 1 oz or 25 x 1/10 oz) and mint boxes (100 x 1 oz or 500 x 1/10 oz). American buyers can include the coins in their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's).
Coin Specifications
| Weight | Face Value | Purity | Diameter x Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | £ 100 | 99.95% | 32.69 x ?? mm |
| 1/2 oz* | £ 50 | 99.95% | 25.00 x ?? mm |
| 1/4 oz** | £ 25 | 99.95% | 20.00 x ?? mm |
| 1/10 oz | £ 10 | 99.95% | 16.5 x 1.8 mm |
* only issued as proof coins in 2007, 2008
** only issued as proof coins in 2007, 2008 and since 2017
1/4 oz Proof Platinum Britannia Coin Designs
Platinum Britannia Coin Design
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse side of each British Platinum Britannia coin. She is depicted in profile wearing her royal tiara. The image of her majesty is Jody Clark's official "Fifth Portrait" that can also be seen on the gold and silver version of the coins as well as on other British bullion coins. The obverse side's background design features a guilloché pattern. The legal tender face value is also engraved on the coin's obverse side.
The standard reverse design of all Britannia coins depicts a helmet-clad standing Britannia holding an olive branch and shield in her left hand and a long trident in her right. The coin's weight, platinum purity and year of mintage also appears on the reverse side.
Britannia was first depicted on coins of ancient Rome during the rule of Emperor Hadrian. In those times, Britannia was used as a term for the area that is now Great Britain. It may have been the similar-looking Roman figure Boudica that inspired the creation of Britannia's image.
History of the Platinum Britannia Coins
Unbeknownst to many, it was already back in 2007 and 2008 that the Royal Mint issued 99.95% fine platinum coins with the Britannia design. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Britannia coin series in 2007, a mere 250 proof coin sets were issued that included the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz Britannia coins out of platinum. The reverse design of these coins showed a seated Britannia with a male lion by her side, just like on the gold coins of that year, whereas Ian Rank-Broadley's "Fourth Portrait" of Queen Elizabeth II appeared on the obverse. The four proof coins that were a part of this set could also be purchased separately up to a certain issue limit (1,000 coins of 1/10 oz and 1/4 oz, 250 coins of 1/2 oz and 1 oz).
A similar 4 coin proof set was also issued in 2008. The set included the same four denominations that bore the same obverse design and the new Britannia design for 2008 (standing Britannia near the sea with a lighthouse in the background) on the reverse. Only 150 such sets were issued worldwide that year. The platinum proof coins that were a part of this set were also for sale individually (issue limit of 250 coins per denomination).
In order to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Britannia coin series in 2017, the Royal Mint released a limited issue (only 850 coins!) of 1/4 oz proof coins out of platinum with the Britannia image (same image as on the proof version of the Gold and Silver Britannias). On such a special 2017 proof Platinum Britannia coin you will also find an anniversary trident mint mark.
Whereas only proof versions of the British Platinum Britannia had been issued in those earlier years, the Platinum Britannia bullion coin finally made its debut in 2018. Only the two denominations of 1 oz and 1/10 oz are issued as brilliant uncirculated coins for now but that could change quickly if the market introduction of the Platinum Britannia turns out to be successful. The annual issue of 1/4 oz proof Platinum Britannia coins that began in 2017 has continued uninterrupted as well but the maximum mintage of these collectible coins has declined year after year since then.
Mintage Numbers
Mintage of the 1 oz and 1/10 oz Britannia platinum bullion coin is not capped and according to the current market demand. Annual mintage numbers of the 1/4 oz proof coins are strictly limited though.
British Gold Britannias
Mintage of the British Gold Britannia coins started in 1987. Their reverse side generally shows a helmet-clad standing Britannia holding an olive branch, shield and trident. In certain years, the design of the coin's reverse side differs from that standard design though. The coins were made out of 91.67% pure gold alloyed with copper at first. In 1990, the non-gold component changed from copper to silver. Both brilliant uncirculated and proof versions of the coins are offered. In 2013, the British Gold Britannias had their gold purity raised to 99.99%. Many different denominations of the coins between 1/40 oz and 1 kg are offered by Britain's Royal Mint.
The British Gold Britannia page gives more information about the coins and allows you to compare current prices.
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 Britannia Platinum Coin Sets
Platinum Britannia Proof Sets 2007 - 2008
total platinum weight: 1.85 oz
These sets that were issued in very limited numbers in both 2007 (250 sets) and 2008 (150 sets) include the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz proof version of the British Platinum Britannia coins. Whereas the 2007 set was issued in a leather presentation case, the 2008 set came in a wooden box. A certificate of authenticity was included in both years.