The British Britannia Gold Coins
Following the success of its predecessors, such as the Maple Leaf, the Krugerrand and the American Eagle, the introduction of a British coin seemed an obvious choice. And what symbol could be more suitable for such a coin than a portrait of the British Isles' goddess of protection? With her wind-swept robe, protected by her trident and shield bearing the Union Jack, Britannia is a truly heroic sight.
The Britannia coin enjoys great popularity in the United Kingdom and is CGT and VAT exempt, making it a great choice for investors. As an investment coin:
- The Britannia gold coin is minted in denominations of 1/10, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 oz.
- In 1997, a silver coin was added, minted at a fine weight of one ounce.
- Initially, a fine content of 916.66/1000 was used and has been increased to 999.9/1000 since 2013. Due to this change, the copper content of the coin has been reduced and the colour has changed from a reddish to a purely yellow gold.
In the last few years, the design of the coin has changed several times, but the most important change was the 2015 introduction of the fifth official portrait of the Queen. No British monarch has ever received such an honour, because no British king or queen has been on the throne for as long as Queen Elizabeth II.
Even as far back as Roman Britain, Britannia was venerated as a goddess of protection and has since become the personification of the United Kingdom. During the development of British national identity in the 16th century, Britannia also went through a change. While the trident and combat helmet already belonged to the ancient model, the modern Britannia also bears the British national colours on her protective shield.
If you are interested in purchasing the most British of all investment coins, have a look at our range of silver and Britannia gold coins. If you have any questions, you can call us at +44-20-369-50335, or send us an e-mail.
Other coins you may be interested in
Collectors who are passionate about coins that represent British heritage will love the Queen’s Beasts Gold Coins, which feature designs inspired by the 10 heraldic statues that watched proudly when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey. A great option for investors, they’re VAT free and Capital Gains Tax exempt.
Sovereign Gold coins are also a favourite choice with investors and coin enthusiasts, as they are among the most popular bullion gold coins in the world. With a long history of trusted British coinage heritage, different designs and variations represent monarchs from throughout the centuries. They are also VAT free and Capital Gains Tax exempt for British buyers.
Technical data of the Britannia gold coin
We’ve outlined the details for 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz Britannia coins, so you can compare specifications and decide which coins will be best for your stock portfolio.
| 1 oz
| 1/2 oz
| 1/4 oz
| 1/10 oz |
Fine weight | 31.1035g | 15.5517g
| 7.7759g
| 3.1035g
|
Gross weight (1987-2012)
| 34.050g
| 17.025g
| 8.513g
| 3.412g
|
Gross weight (2012-)
| 31.0140g
| 15.600g
| 7.860g
| 3.130g
|
Purity (-1989)
| 91.67% (91.67% Gold, 8.33% Kuper)
|
Purity (1990-2012)
| 91.67% (91.67% Gold, 4.166% Silber, 4,166% Kuper)
|
Purity (2013-)
| 99.99%
|
Diameter
| 32.69mm
| 27.00mm
| 22.00mm
| 16.5mm
|
Diameter (2013)
| 38.61mm
| 27.00mm
| 22.00mm
| 16.5mm
|
Thickness
| 2.78mm
| 2.08mm
| 1.63mm
| 1.17mm
|
Thickness (2013)
| | 2.08mm
| 1.63mm
| 1.17mm
|
Face value
| £100
| £50
| £25
| £10
|
Frequently asked questions
Find out more about buying and selling Britannia Gold coins with StoneX Bullion – read our FAQs to learn about everything from shipping times to payment options.