Homepage / Bullion Coins: U.K. Coins / Britannia Gold Bullion Coin

---

---

Click to Request a Free Appraisal Kit, Please tell them this website sent you
ExpressGoldCash - 4.9 star - Customer Reviews

---

Last Updated on 10/01/2026

UK Britannia
Gold Bullion Coin

Follow @BullionGuide

Tweet

Britannia is the enduring icon created by the Romans to represent a land and its people.

In 1987, Nigel Lawson, the Royal National Treasurer of the time, authorized a new £100 Gold Britannia bullion coin series with fractional coins. 

The Royal Mint organized a national competition to find the best rendition of Britannia to put on the coin's reverse side; more than fifty designs were submitted, and Philip Nathan's "Britannia" won.

Philip Nathan's design shows Britannia standing on a rock with the wind in her hair and clothes, wearing a Corinthian helmet, holding a trident in her right hand, and her left hand holding an olive branch and a shield with the United Kingdom's Union Jack flag.

Prior to 2012, the purity of the Gold Britannia consisted of 91.67%, 22k Gold, which is also the same purity of the American Gold Eagle Bullion Coin.  In 2013, the Royal Mint enhanced the Composition and Purity of the Britannia Gold bullion coins to 99.99% Pure, 24k Gold. 

UK Britannia Gold Bullion Coins are a wise investment for collectors and investors alike.

One little-known fact that some UK residents are unaware of is that bullion coins from The Royal Mint are Tax-exempt from Capital Gains due to the coins' status as legal British currency, giving UK residents who purchase these coins added profit when they decide to sell.

The History of "Britannia"

"Britannia" is the ancient Latin name for Great Britain, originating from its time as a province of the Roman Empire.

Philip Nathan's "Britannia"
30 troy oz Sterling Silver Statue

During the 2nd century, Roman Britannia came to be personified as a woman, armed with a spear and shield and wearing a Corinthian helmet.

After the decline of the Roman Empire, Britannia's image wasn't used again until the 16th century during the reign of Elizabeth I, when John Dee promoted her image in a book he published in 1577.

John Dee portrayed Britannia kneeling on the shore before Elizabeth I, seated on a ship, in an appeal to the queen to strengthen the navy.

The Romans were the first to use Britannia on coinage, Britain began using her image on pattern farthings made in 1665 alongside the Latin inscription "I Claim the Four Seas."

After the Acts of Union in 1707, which joined the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, the personification of the martial Britannia was used as an emblem of British maritime power and unity, most notably in the patriotic song "Rule, Britannia!".

Today, Britannia is portrayed standing or seated alone, or with a lion holding a spear or a three-pronged trident in one hand and in the other hand holding a shield with the United Kingdom's Union Jack flag on it.

Design of the
1 oz. Britannia Gold Bullion Coin

Obverse

The direction of the monarch's face is a subtle difference between the 2022 and the current Gold Britannia bullion coins.

The late Queen Elizabeth II faced to the right, and the new King of England, Charles III, is facing the left; switching the direction a monarch faces on coinage for the British Royal Family is a tradition that dates back to the 17th century.

Martin Jennings designed the effigy of the King Charles III; his initials "MJ" are inscribed directly below the King's neck. (click image to enlarge)

Mr. Jennings stated the following about his design, "It is a privilege to sculpt the first official effigy of His Majesty and to receive his personal approval for the design."

Inscriptions, inside the notched crenelated border of the coin, are the words and letters:

• CHARLES III
• · D ∙ G ∙ REX - stands for "Dei Gratia Rex," a Latin title meaning "By the Grace of God, King" 
• ∙ F ∙ D - stands for "Fidei Defensor," a Latin title that translates into "Defender of the Faith." The Latin phrases have been used on British coinage since the 16th century.
• ∙ 100 POUNDS ·
  
• MJ - Martin Jenning's initials (designer)
  

The Government of the United Kingdom has guaranteed the Gold Britannia bullion coin as legal tender and is Tax-Exempt from Capital Gains for the residents of the United Kingdom.

Read more about the Royal Mint's unveiling of the King Charles III's effigy here.

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

Reverse

Britannia's image is a Symbol of National Honor for the United Kingdom.

"Britannia" is viewed as a beautiful young woman standing in the wind looking to her right, watching the seas, with flowing hair and a Corinthian helmet on her head, dressed in wind-whipped clothes. 

Britannia holds a three-pronged trident in her right hand and, in her left hand, an olive branch and a shield that has the United Kingdom's Union Jack Flag on it.

As mentioned in the introduction on this page, designer Philip Nathan  created the design of Britannia for the bullion coin.

Inscriptions:

• ❚ BRITANNIA ❚
  
• Year of Issue ❚
  
• 1 oz
• ❚ 999.9 ❚ FINE ❚ GOLD ❚
  
• NATHAN - designer's last name
• notched crenelated border

Security Features

Latent Image switches from a Trident to a Padlock when the angle is changed

• small circle with a latent image; the image is visible when the coin's angle is changed; it switches between a trident and a padlock
• The beaded, laser-engraved background surface gives the effect of animated, flowing waves as the coin is moved.

• Micro-Text on an inner perimeter banding stating "DECUS ET TUTAMEN," translates to "An ornament and a safeguard"
• smooth lines on Britannia's shield provides contrast to the tones of light in the United Kingdom Union Jack flag.   (click photos to enlarge)

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

Edge

1 oz. Britannia Gold
Coin Information

Introduction:..............1987

IRA Approved:............No (1987 - 2012)

IRA Approved:............Yes (2013 to Present)

Grade:........................Uncirculated

Face Value:................£100 GBP (100 pounds)

Gold Content:.............1 Troy oz.

Gross Weight:.............31.104 grams

Purity:........................91.67% / 916.7 (1987 - 2012)

Purity:........................99.99% / 999.9 per mille (2013 to Present)

karat:.........................22 karat (1987 - 2012)

karat:.........................24 karat (2013 to Present)

Diameter:...................38.69mm

Designer Obverse:......Raphael David Maklouf (1987 - 1997)

Designer Obverse:......Ian Rank Broadley FRBS (1998-2014)

Designer Obverse:......Jody Clark (2015 - 2022)

Designer Obverse:......Martin Jennings (2023 - Present)

Designer Reverse:......Philip Nathan (1998 to Present)

Mint Mark:..................No

Edge:..........................reeded

Mintage: ....................Unlimited Mintage (Mintage Figures have not been released)

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

1/2 oz. Britannia Gold
Bullion Coin
Information

Introduction:.............1987

IRA Approved:...........No (1987 - 2012)

IRA Approved:...........Yes (2013 to Present)

Grade:.......................Uncirculated

Face Value:................£50 GBP (50 pounds)

Gold Content:............1/2 Troy oz.

Min Gross Weight:.....15.6 grams

Purity:.......................91.67% / 916.7 (1987 - 2012)

Purity:.......................99.99% / 999.9 per mille (2013 to Present)

karat:........................22 karat (1987 - 2012)

karat:........................24 karat (2013 to Present)

Diameter:..................27mm

Thickness..................2.08mm

Designer Obverse:.....Raphael David Maklouf (1987 - 1997)

Designer Obverse:.....Ian Rank Broadley FRBS (1998-2014)

Designer Obverse:.....Jody Clark (2015 - 2022)

Designer Obverse:.....Martin Jennings (2023 - Present)

Designer Reverse:.....Philip Nathan (1998 to Present)

Mint Mark:.................No

Edge:.........................Reeded

Mintage: ...................Unlimited Mintage (Mintage Figures have not been released)

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

Click to Request a Free Appraisal Kit, Please tell them this website sent you
ExpressGoldCash - 4.9 star - Customer Reviews

1/4 oz. Britannia Gold
Bullion Coin
Information

Introduction:.............1987

IRA Approved:...........No (1987 - 2012)

IRA Approved:...........Yes (2013 to Present)

Grade:.......................Uncirculated

Face Value:................£50 GBP (50 pounds)

Gold Content:............1/4 Troy oz.

Min Gross Weight:.....7.86 grams

Purity:.......................91.67% / 916.7 (1987 - 2012)

Purity:.......................99.99% / 999.9 per mille (2013 to Present)

karat:........................22 karat (1987 - 2012)

karat:........................24 karat (2013 to Present)

Diameter:..................22mm

Thickness..................1.63mm

Designer Obverse:.....Raphael David Maklouf (1987 - 1997)

Designer Obverse:.....Ian Rank Broadley FRBS (1998-2014)

Designer Obverse:.....Jody Clark (2015 - 2022)

Designer Obverse:.....Martin Jennings (2023 - Present)

Designer Reverse:.....Philip Nathan (1998 to Present)

Mint Mark:.................No

Edge:.........................Reeded

Mintage: ...................Unlimited Mintage (Mintage Figures have not been released)

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

BGASC - Customer Reviews - 4.8 stars

1/10 oz. Britannia Gold
Bullion Coin
Information

Introduction:............1987

IRA Approved:..........No (1987 - 2012)

IRA Approved:..........Yes (2013 to Present)

Grade:......................Uncirculated

Face Value:...............£10 GBP (10 pounds)

Gold Content:............1/10th Troy oz.

Min Gross Weight:.....3.13 grams

Purity:.......................91.67% / 916.7 (1987 - 2012)

Purity:.......................99.99% / 999.9 per mille (2013 to Present)

karat:........................22 karat (1987 - 2012)

karat:........................24 karat (2013 to Present)

Diameter:..................16.50mm

Thickness..................1.2mm

Designer Obverse:.....Raphael David Maklouf (1987 - 1997)

Designer Obverse:.....Ian Rank Broadley FRBS (1998-2014)

Designer Obverse:.....Jody Clark (2015 - 2022)

Designer Obverse:.....Martin Jennings (2023 - Present)

Designer Reverse:.....Philip Nathan (1998 to Present)

Mint Mark:.................No

Edge:.........................Reeded

Mintage: ...................Unlimited Mintage (Mintage Figures have not been released)

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

---

Purchase
Gold Britannia Bullion Coins

from the Reputable Bullion Dealers below.

The Links below will take you directly to the page described.

Gold Britannia Coins page

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.8 star Customer Reviews

---

Gold Britannia Coins page

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.8 star Customer Reviews

---

British Gold Coins page

Free Shipping on Orders $199+

4.9 star Customer Reviews

---

Gold Britannia Coin & Bar page

The Royal Mint (U.K.) Delivery Rates

4.7 star - Customer Reviews

---

America's Superstore offering Precious Metal Coins and Bars from Reputable Bullion Dealers

Gold Britannia Coin page

Shipping prices

vary by item

Notice:

• This site receives a commission when you purchase from the merchants above.
  
• No Personal Information is Obtained by this guide when you visit or order from any of the merchants above.
• See this guide's Affiliate Disclosure page for more information: here)
  

United Kingdom
Britannia Bullion Coins

---

Silver Britannia

Gold Britannia

Platinum Britannia

Other pages, on this Guide, that you
may like...

Bullion Discounts Silver Bullion Buying Guide / Dealers Dow to Gold Ratio 1 oz. Mexican Gold Libertad Sunshine Minting, Inc (SMI) Bullion Manufacturer Israel Bullion Gold to Silver Ratio The Perth Mint & Australian Bullion Price Inflation 1 kilo. Mexican Silver Libertad PAMP Bullion Manufacturer Vault Storage Brokerages Bretton Woods Establishing the Gold Standard of the 20th Century Bullion Coin Anatomy 1 oz. American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin Johnson Matthey Bullion Refiner The Royal Mint & United Kingdom Bullion The Royal Canadian Mint & Canadian Bullion 1 oz. Australian Silver Kookaburra Bullion Coin The Royal Canadian Mint & Canadian Bullion

Understanding Gold Nanoparticle Cancer Research 1 oz. American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Affiliate Ad Gold Price Charts Vault Storage of Assets Bullion Market & Financial Forums Junk Silver Buying Guide Engelhard Bullion Refiner The Royal Mint (UK)  4.6 star Customer Reviews  Delivery Charge Info Bullion Guide Blog The U.S. Mint & U.S. Bullion Coins Silver Price Charts Troy a System of Weight Home Safes Buying Guide Graded Bullion Coins Buying Guide The Mexican Mint & Mexican Bullion Home Page with Bullion Market News 1 oz. Australian Gold Kangaroo Bullion Coin Free-Market Capitalism & Capitalists South African Gold Krugerrand 1 oz. Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coin Archangel Raphael ~ The Angel of Healing

Click to Request a Free Appraisal Kit, Please tell them this website sent you
ExpressGoldCash - 4.9 star - Customer Reviews

UK Britannia Gold

Visit   the   UK Bullion page

OR

For the Bullion Market News...

Visit the Homepage

Please Donate to Support this Guide & Paypal Thank You for Your Support

Follow @BullionGuide Tweet Free Bullion Investment Guide

Free-Bullion-Investment-Guide "Search" search engine by freefind advanced

ShareFacebookXPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsApp