New radiating background design for Britannia bullion coins is confirmed.
After noticing what we thought was a change to the bullion Britannia in a press photo some weeks ago, we can now confirm that the radiating ‘sunburst’ pattern in the background of the lunar privy Britannia coin is to be rolled out across the standard bullion coins also. It’s now 30 years suiince the Britannia appeared.
It’s now 20 years since the introduction of the Philip Nathan Britannia design so widely liked in the market, and the Royal Mint has seen fit to commemorate the event with an updated design. Quite similar in concept to that employed on the Royal Canadian Mints iconic Maple Leaf bullion coin over the last couple of years, the pattern not only looks excellent, the fineness of the design also makes counterfeit coins harder to make.
Applied to both the silver coin, and to the gold range of four sizes (1oz, 1/2oz, 1/4oz, 1/10oz), it’s a nice subtle change and one that we feel improves upon the crinkled background of last years coin. That finish remains in use on the obverse face, as it does on the Royal Mints lunar bullion coins also.
Sold as individual coins, and in tubes and monster boxes, the Britannia remains a classic, and one of the worlds most recognised and trusted bullion coins.
2017 BRITANNIA GOLD AND SILVER BULLION COINS
MINT DESCRIPTION
The Royal Mint has launched the Britannia 999.9 fine gold and 999 fine silver bullion coin range for 2017, heralding what will be a very special year for the female personification of Britain – marking 20 years since silver Britannia bullion coins featured Sculptor Philip Nathan’s design and 30 years since it was first struck on the gold Britannia bullion coin.
Britannia, now woven into Britain’s heritage, first appeared on British coinage in 1672 during the reign of Charles II, and her presence on circulating coins was consistent until 2008. She has since been re-introduced to our circulating coinage as the reverse design on the definitive £2 coin.
Britannia is depicted wearing a Corinthian helmet and holding an olive branch, adopting a powerful stance as a gale whips around her shield. For 2017, to mark the anniversary of this iconic design, the figure of Britannia is framed with an additional embellishment– a radial sunburst. The obverse of the coin features the fifth definitive portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Royal Mint Coin Designer Jody Clark.
The weight and purity of the Britannia gold and silver coins is independently verified annually at the centuries-old Trial of the Pyx. Today, investors may purchase the coins from The Royal Mint in Llantrisant.
Britannia gold bullion coins are struck in 999.9 fine gold and are available as one ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce and tenth-ounce coins. Britannia silver bullion coins are struck in 999 fine silver and are available as a one ounce coin.
OBVERSE FACEÂ AND THE GOLD SIZES
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SPECIFICATION
| DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | WEIGHT | DIAMETER | FINISH | MINTAGE | BOX / COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £100 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 31.21 g | 32.69 mm | BULLION | TBC | NO / NO |
| £50 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 15.60 g | 27.00 mm | BULLION | TBC | NO / NO |
| £25 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 7.80 g | 22.00 mm | BULLION | TBC | NO / NO |
| £10 UKP | 0.9999 GOLD | 3.13 g | 16.50 mm | BULLION | TBC | NO / NO |
| £2 UKP | 0.999 SILVER | 31.21 g | 38.61 mm | BULLION | TBC | NO / NO |
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