The Britannia Coin - All You Need to Know

Britannia coins are the Royal Mint's flagship bullion coin. First introduced in 1987 with the release of the Gold Britannia, these coins feature an iconic portrayal of their namesake, Lady Britannia, the personification of Britain.

Today, Britannia coins are some of the highest-purity gold, silver, and platinum bullion coins available. In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about the Britannia coin, including its history, weight, size, purity, and design.

History of Britannia on British coins

The figure of Britannia – the personification of Britain – has appeared on British coinage for centuries, embodying the strength, resilience, and maritime prowess of the nation. To understand her history, we have to go back hundreds of years.

Depictions during the Roman Empire

Britannia’s presence on British coins dates back to the Roman Empire, where she first appeared on coins as a representation of the province of Britain during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in 119 AD. In these early depictions, Britannia appeared wielding a spear and shield, symbolising the conquest of new territories and standing as a figure of power and resilience.

In later coins of this era, she appeared in traditional British war dress to symbolise the resistance against Roman invasions and showcasing the spirit of the British people. She then disappeared from British coinage for more than 1,500 years.

The age of sail

In 1672, Britannia was revived under the reign of King Charles II. British naval power was facing challenges during this time, and Charles II brought back her portrayal to lift the nations’ spirits. She appeared on copper coins holding a spear in one hand and an olive sprig, symbolising peace, in the other. The shield remained by her side, this time embellished with the union flag.

Throughout this period, the British navy was asserting its dominance in global trade and warfare. Britannia’s image became emblematic of British strength and sovereignty over the oceans.

The cartwheel pennies

In 1797, Britannia appeared on the famous cartwheel pennies and two pence coins during the reign of King George III. Struck at the Soho Mint in Birmingham, these coins were known for their large size and thick rim, each weighing 28 grams and measuring 36 mm in diameter.

The cartwheel pennies reinforced Britannia’s image as a guardian of the seas. This time, she swapped her spear for a trident and was depicted seated on rocks with the sea and a ship in the background. This imagery again captured the essence of British naval power and the significance of maritime trade during a period of significant economic expansion.

Britannia’s continued legacy

Since her reintroduction to British coinage in 1672, Britannia has been continuously depicted on the coins of various monarchs. In 1825, the penny reverse featured Britannia facing the opposite way and wearing a Roman helmet, a nod to her original appearance on Roman coins.

She featured on various bronze and copper denominations until the decimalisation of British currency in 1971. After that, Britannia continued to appear on definitive 50 pence coins until 2008, when her image was replaced by the royal shield design. This caused an uproar amongst the public, and a petition was made to have her reappear on British coinage. In 2015, she made her triumphant return on the definitive £2 coin, which is now the rarest definitive £2 coin to date.

Today, Britannia has been immortalised as the face of the Royal Mint’s flagship gold, silver, and platinum bullion coins. Britannia bullion coins were first issued in 1987 in gold. Silver Britannias were struck in 1997 and the Platinum Britannia coin made its first appearance in 2008.

Gold Britannia coins

The Gold Britannia coin, first introduced by the Royal Mint in 1987, is one of the most iconic bullion coins in the world. They have a face value of £100 and are struck to an unlimited mintage each year.

Designed specifically for the international gold market, Gold Britannias were issued to provide a British alternative to popular gold investment coins like the Canadian Maple Leaf and American Eagle gold coins.

How much gold is in a Britannia coin?

The first Gold Britannia coin was made from 22-carat gold (91.7% purity) and contained exactly one troy ounce (31.10 grams) of pure gold. Until 1989, the non-gold component of the coins was copper, and coins minted from 1990 are alloyed with silver.

In 2013, the purity of Gold Britannia coins was increased from 22 carats (0.917) to 24 carats (0.9999) fine gold, putting them in the same ranks as other high-purity bullion coins such as the Vienna Philharmonic and Canadian Maple Leaf. The coin’s dimensions were slightly altered to reflect the new composition.

Read More: Troy Ounce: Definition, History, and Conversion Table

Gold Britannia coin designs

Gold Britannia bullion coins feature Philip Nathan’s depiction of Britannia standing by the sea, holding her trident with the wind blowing her robes. The obverse of the coin initially portrayed the Raphael David Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1998, this was updated to feature Ian Rank-Broadley’s portrayal of the Queen. In 2024, King Charles III made his debut on the obverse of the coins.

The reverse design of the coins has changed over the years to feature different interpretations of Britannia, including her standing, seated, in a chariot, helmeted, and adorned with the union flag.

How big is a Gold Britannia coin?

Gold Britannia coins are available in a range of sizes, from 1/20 oz to 5 oz, making them accessible to a wide range of investors.

Here is a Gold Britannia coin size chart showing specifications of coins minted from 2013 onwards:

WEIGHT (OZ)	DIAMETER	WEIGHT (GRAMS)	FACE VALUE
1/20 oz	12 mm	1.58 grams	£5
1/10 oz	16.5 mm	3.13 grams	£10
¼ oz	22 mm	7.86 grams	£25
½ oz	27 mm	15.60 grams	£50
1 oz	32.69 mm	31.10 grams	£100
5 oz	65 mm	156.295 grams	£500

Silver Britannia coins

Silver Britannia coins are the silver counterpart to the iconic Gold Britannia bullion coins. First minted in 1997, these coins have a face value of £2. Since 2013, Silver Britannias have had an unlimited mintage.

How much silver is in a Britannia coin?

The first Silver Britannia coins were minted from .958 (95.8%) silver alloyed with copper. This unique alloy is known as ‘Britannia silver’ and set the coin apart from other silver bullion coins on the market. Since 2013, Silver Britannias have been struck from .999 pure silver (99.9%).

Continue Reading: The Fineness and Purity Of Silver Explained

Silver Britannia coin designs

Like their gold counterparts, Silver Britannia coins feature Philip Nathan’s classic portrayal of Lady Britannia on the reverse. Until 2024, the obverse featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. 2024 marked the first year that King Charles III appeared on the obverse of the coins.

In 2014, a mix-up occurred between the Silver Britannia and Lunar Year of the Horse coins, resulting in some Britannia coins being struck with the incorrect obverse. Around 17,000 of these mis-strike coins exist, making them highly sought after by collectors.

How big is a Silver Britannia coin?

Early versions of the Britannia silver bullion coin had a diameter of 40 mm and weighed 32.45 grams with a fine silver weight of one troy ounce (31.10 grams).

Silver Britannias struck from 2013 onwards are slightly smaller in size, with a diameter of 38.61 mm and a total weight of 31.1 grams (one troy ounce).

Silver Britannia size chart

You can purchase Silver Britannias in a range of sizes, from 1/20 oz to 5 oz, making them suitable for a wide range of investors.

Here is a Silver Britannia coin size chart showing specifications of coins minted from 2013 onwards:

WEIGHT (OZ)	DIAMETER	WEIGHT (GRAMS)	FACE VALUE
1/20 oz	12 mm	1.58 grams	10p
1/10 oz	16.5 mm	3.11 grams	20p
¼ oz	22 mm	7.78 grams	50p
½ oz	27 mm	15.71 grams	£1
1 oz	38.61 mm	31.1 grams	£2
5 oz	65 mm	156.3 grams	£10

Platinum Britannia coins

Platinum Britannia coins were first minted in 2018, offering a new way to invest in the Royal Mint’s Britannia coins.

How much platinum is in a Britannia coin?

Platinum Britannia coins are struck from .9995 pure platinum, making them one of the highest-purity platinum bullion coins available.

Platinum Britannia coin designs

The Platinum Britannia coins feature the same Philip Nathan portrayal of Lady Britannia as their gold and silver counterparts. Until 2024, the obverse featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. In 2024, this was updated to feature King Charles III, marking a new era for the Britannia series.

How big is a Platinum Britannia coin?

Platinum Britannia coins have a diameter of 32.69 mm and weigh exactly 31.21 grams (one troy ounce).

Keep Reading: How to Invest in Platinum: Tips & Strategies

Platinum Britannia size chart

Platinum Britannias are available in a variety of sizes to suit different investors, from 1/10 oz to 1 oz.

Below is a Platinum Britannia size chart showing the various denominations available:

WEIGHT (OZ)	DIAMETER	WEIGHT (GRAMS)	FACE VALUE
1/10 oz	16.5 mm	3.11 grams	£10
¼ oz	22 mm	7.78 grams	£25
½ oz	27 mm	15.56 grams	£50
1 oz	32.69 mm	31.1 grams	£100

How big is a Britannia coin?

The size of a Britannia coin depends on the metal it's made from – gold, silver, or platinum – and its weight. They're available in different sizes to suit different types of investors, from smaller fraction pieces to multi-ounce options.

Here's a breakdown of the typical diameter of 1 oz Britannia coins in different metals:

• Gold Britannia: 32.69 mm
• Silver Britannia: 38.61 mm
• Platinum Britannia 32.69 mm.

How much does a Britannia coin weigh?

Britannia coins are available in different weights, from fractional 1/20 oz sizes up to 5 oz for Gold and Silver Britannia coins. The popular 1 oz size is equivalent to 31.1 grams.

How much gold is in a Britannia?

A standard 1 oz Gold Britannia contains exactly one troy ounce (31.1 grams) of pure gold. Since 2013, Gold Britannias have been minted from 24 carat gold with a purity of .9999 (99.99%), making them one of the purest gold bullion coins on the market.

Before 2013, Gold Britannia coins were made from 22 carat gold with a purity of .917 (91.7%). While the total weight of the coins was slightly higher at 34.05 grams, they still contained one troy ounce of pure gold.

Tax implications of buying Gold Britannia in the UK

Gold Britannias offer significant tax advantages for UK buyers, including CGT exemption and VAT exemption:

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Exemption: Gold Britannias are considered legal tender, making them exempt from Capital Gains Tax. This means that, if you’re a UK resident, you don’t need to pay CGT on any profit made from selling your Gold Britannia coins.
• Value Added Tax (VAT) Exemption: Gold Britannias qualify as investment-grade gold, which means they’re exempt from Value Added Tax in the UK. This applies to all gold coins that meet specific purity requirements.

Buy Britannia coins online

With their historic design, high metal purity, and tax advantages for UK residents, Britannia coins are a smart way to invest in precious metals. Whether you’re interested in gold, silver, or platinum, browse our collection of Britannia coins and start securing your wealth today.