King Charles III appears on his first bullion coin with the release of the Royal Mint’s perennial Britannia range

It isn’t long into 2023 that our wait for King Charles III effigy bullion coins has been satiated, and what better way than that most iconic of designs, the Royal Mint Britannia. A staple of the bullion market for decades, it, along with the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, and a select few others, are universal safe havens, and recognised globally as such.

Queen Elizabeth II has sat upon the obverse of these coins since they launched in 1987 in gold form, an unbroken 35-year run, but with her death last year, a change was required. Sitting there now is the new Martin Jennings penned effigy of Charles III, ironically looking quite like Charles I after his unfortunate encounter with a wood-chopping instrument… It is a terrific likeness, although the Royal Mint has always excelled in that regard, in our opinion.

No changes to the reverse design, with Philip Nathan’s now iconic artwork taking centre stage. The mint has ramped up the security of the coin over the last few years, with a lenticular trident privy being the most obvious example, although fine details in the background, and the Union flag shield, complement it, topped off with a micro-text ring. It all makes a successful counterfeit of the coin exponentially more difficult to pull off. These features apply to all the various variants in the range.

That range encompasses 0.999 silver coins of 1 oz and 1 kg weights, and 0.9999 gold in 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and 1 oz sizes, all having unlimited mintages until the 2024 dated coins drop late this year. They’re reasonably priced, although avoid that 1 kg silver if value is paramount. A popular favourite (2022 sales were up 29% for silver and 25% for gold over an already record 2021) and the first time it’s been available with the same date, but with two different effigies. A unique opportunity.

1 oz silver Britannia
1 oz silver Britannia obverse

PRESS RELEASE

The Royal Mint is the first Mint in the world to introduce King Charles III’s official portrait onto bullion coins, with His Majesty’s effigy appearing on the world’s most visually secure bullion coin, Britannia, first. Following the introduction of four innovative security features onto The Royal Mint’s bullion Britannia coin in 2021, its appeal and demand globally has soared.

Andrew Dickey, Director of Precious Metals at The Royal Mint, said: “The Britannia bullion coin is globally recognised across the world by investors. Its reputation as the world’s most visually secure bullion coin has led to it becoming one of the most popular bullion coins produced by The Royal Mint.”

Struck in 999.9 fine gold and enhanced with four security features, the Britannia design is as beautiful as ever on this bullion coin. In the lower left-hand of the design, below Britannia’s flowing gown, a trident represents her naval history and as the viewer changes their perspective this trident becomes a padlock, emphasising the coin’s secure nature. Surface animation reflects the movement of waves, and fine details such as the Union flag on Britannia’s shield have been carefully highlighted in the coin’s bullion finish. These added security features both decorate and protect the coin, just as the micro-text that borders the design states – ‘Decus et Tutamen’, which translates as ‘An ornament and a safeguard’.

1 oz gold Britannia
1 oz gold Britannia obverse
SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE
£2 UKP 31.1 g of 0.999 silver 38.61 mm Brilliant uncirculated Unlimited
£500 UKP 1000 g of 0.999 silver 100.0 mm Brilliant uncirculated TBC
£10 UKP 3.11 g of 0.9999 gold 16.5 mm Brilliant uncirculated Unlimited
£25 UKP 7.78 g of 0.9999 gold 22.0 mm Brilliant uncirculated Unlimited
£50 UKP 15.55 g of 0.9999 gold 27.0 mm Brilliant uncirculated Unlimited
£100 UKP 31.1 g of 0.9999 gold 32.69 mm Brilliant uncirculated Unlimited