The Britannia proof range returns for 2022 with striking new core and three-figure exclusive edition designs

After a superb showing last year, when the Royal Mint debuted its dual proof Britannia offerings, including the first time a woman of colour had been depicted in the role, we’ve really looked forward to seeing how the concept would proceed in 2022, doubly so when the greatly increased interest in Royal Mint coins is taken into account. Basically, in 2021, the mint continued with its proof Britannia’s, now dubbed the ‘Core range’, but also added a ‘Premium Exclusive range’ with a different reverse design.

The same is true in 2022, although the latter is now dubbed the ‘Exclusive Edition’. The core design, by artist Daniel Thorne, is simply gorgeous. While the border remains a little too large, in our view, the Britannia artwork is beautifully done, both dynamic and contemporary. All the required elements are present – helmet, trident, lion, shield, robe, flag – but with a powerful, flowing style. We love it.

2022 BRITANNIA CORE RANGE

Meant to be the most popular and accessible selection of the pair, it has the greater selection of formats. Silver comes in 1 oz, 2 oz, 5 oz, and 2 kg variants, while gold is offered in ¼ oz, 2 oz, and 5 oz weights. A solitary ¼ oz platinum coin rounds out the individual choice. However, there’s also a six-coin silver set (1/40th, 1/20th, 1/10th, 1/4oz, 1/2oz, 1oz) selling for £235.00 and with a mintage of 1,300 units, along with a dual 1 oz set comprised of a standard proof coin, and a frosted proof (1,100 units, £190.00).

An identically weighted six-coin gold set (150 units) sells for £4,615.00, supplemented by a three-coin set which loses the two smallest, and the 1oz coins for a price of £2,040 and an identical mintage of 150.

SPECIFICATION (CORE RANGE)
DENOMINATION £2 UKP £2 UKP £10 UKP £1000 UKP £25 UKP £200 UKP £500 UKP £25 UKP
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver 0.999 silver 0.999 silver 0.999 silver 0.9999 gold 0.9999 gold 0.9999 gold 0.9995 platinum
WEIGHT 31.21 grams 62.42 grams 156.295 grams 2,010.00 grams 7.80 grams 62.42 grams 156.295 grams 7.85 grams
DIMENSIONS 38.61 mm 40.0 mm 65.0 mm 150.0 mm 22.0 mm 40.0 mm 50.0 mm 20.0 mm
FINISH Proof Proof Proof Proof Proof Proof Proof Proof
MAX MINTAGE 3,610 760 386 78 785 106 106 160
PRICE £95.00 £185.00 £465.00 £4,995.00 £670.00 £4,775.00 £11,430.00 £550.00

2022 BRITANNIA EXCLUSIVE EDITION

The Exclusive Edition has a different artist, with Sandra Deiana doing the honours. It’s a clever, attractive design, showing the personification of Britannia at three stages in her life. The central figure, of middling age, is shown adorned with the classic helm, sandwiched between her child form, and her aged visage. This design is doubtless the one aimed at celebrating International Women’s Day, and does a classic, understated job, bound to be appealing to a wide number of collectors. There’s a danger of drifting into ‘wokeness’ with something like this, but Deiana has done a top job of celebrating the figure’s female nature, without preaching. Again, a great effort, and very unusual for the Britannia range.

The range of sizes here is far more limited, with only 2 oz and 1 kilo variants on offer, although in both gold and silver. There are no sets, so each is available on an individual basis only. Normally, we’d be annoyed that the casual, and less well-off collector has been ignored, but in this case, there’s a brilliant uncirculated silver coin available for a relatively accessible £62.50. The quality of strike is nowhere near as defined as the proof coins, of course, but it is available, so that’s a start. Both this coin and the core range will be available from the Royal Mint from 9am British time today, but expect the usual queues, especially for gold. A fine release pair that cements Britannia as a flagship product.

SPECIFICATION (EXCLUSIVE EDITION)
DENOMINATION £2 UKP £5 UKP £500 UKP £200 UKP £1000 UKP
COMPOSITION 0.999 silver 0.999 silver 0.999 silver 0.9999 gold 0.9999 gold
WEIGHT 31.21 grams 62.42 grams 1005.00 grams 62.42 grams 1005.00 grams
DIMENSIONS 38.61 mm 40.0 mm 100.0 mm 40.0 mm 100.0 mm
FINISH B / Uncirculated Proof Proof Proof Proof
MAX MINTAGE 5,010 556 43 106 6
PRICE £62.50 £185.00 £2,330.00 £4,775.00 £69,445.00

PRESS RELEASE

To celebrate International Women’s Day, The Royal Mint has unveiled a new depiction of Britannia, one of Britain’s oldest and most enduring feminine icons, on a collectable UK coin.

The new design is inspired by Gustav Klimt’s classic 1905 painting ‘The Three ages of Woman’ and features Britannia moving from girlhood to maturity. It is the first time that Britannia has appeared three times on one UK coin, and champions women of all ages as equal. It was created by Italian artist and sculptor, Sandra Deiana and updates a classic theme for modern collectors.

A second design also features in the Britannia range, capturing Britannia’s time-honoured and classical look. Made with pioneering laser technology to incorporate intricate details, this second unique design retains Britannia’s classical appeal, while displaying a modern vision and was developed by Daniel Thorne from The Royal Mint’s Product Design team.

Britannia first appeared on UK coins around 2,000 years ago under the rule of Emperor Hadrian. The Romans depicted Britain as a strong female – a symbol that has endured and continues to grace the nation’s coins today on the circulating £2 and commemorative designs.

The Royal Mint has a strong commitment to gender equality, and in 2018 appointed Anne Jessop as the first female Chief Executive in its 1,100-year history. It has 50-50 representation on its Executive Board, and is one of a number of companies in the UK to have a gender pay gap which is marginally in favour of women.

Britannia remains one of The Royal Mint’s flagship coin ranges, with new designs released each year for collectors. Last year, the collection featured the first depiction of Britannia as a woman of colour on a UK coin as part of commitment to reflecting and celebrating Britain’s diversity.