Description
The Britannia is a gold bullion coin produced by the British Royal Mint, which has become one of the most popular coins for UK investors, as it is exempt from Capital Gains Tax and not subject to VAT.
Please note: the coin pictured is not the coin you will receive. The coin you purchase will be non date specific and chosen by one of our bullion team.
In 2013, the Royal Mint changed the purity of the Britannia to 24 carat gold to appeal to the Asian market. The one ounce gold Britannia was originally minted in 1987 with a face value of £100 and was struck in 22 carat gold, containing one ounce of pure gold. The obverse shows the fourth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley which was used until 2015. In 2015, Jody Clark, a Royal Mint employee, designed the fifth and final portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The usual reverse design by the artist, Philip Nathan, is of a standing figure of Britannia holding fast against a storm. Britannia is a British icon, who has always symbolised the strength and resolve of the British nation. The image of Britannia has been used on coinage since Roman times and is particularly well known on the pre decimal British bronze pennies and more recently the fifty pence piece.
A number of different designs have made the Britannia the popular coin it has become.
In 2017, the 30th Anniversary edition of the Britannia was produced. The classic Britannia design was used, but with the mark of small trident next to the first letter of Britannia. This coin also featured the guilloche pattern in the background to deter counterfeiting. Only 7030 gold bullion Britannias were minted with the trident privy mark.
In 2018, the guilloche pattern, which had been trialled in the previous year, was used again. There was also a limited issue of 5000 gold Oriental bordered Britannias to commemorate the Royal MintÕs move into the Asian bullion market. This pattern was inspired by the Chinese rooms at Buckingham Palace and the Brighton Royal Pavillion.
In 2019, a further limited issue of 5000 Oriental Britannias was also produced.
In 2020, the final issue of 5000 Oriental Britannias was produced.
In 2013 the gold Britannia was also avaible in fractional sizes of half ounce, quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce and one-twentieth ounce. In 2013 a five ounce coin with a face value of £500 was also produced.
