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

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Updated on 06/25/2024

UK Britannia
Gold Bullion Coin

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 2024 Gold Britannia.

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

Security Features:

• Micro-Text on an inner perimeter banding stating "DECUS ET TUTAMEN," translated to "An ornament and a safeguard"

Latent Image

• 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
• beaded laser-engraved surface that gives the impression of waves flowing in the background
• 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 per mille (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mintage: ...................Unlimited Mintage

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 per mille (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mintage: ..................Unlimited Mintage

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

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 per mille (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mintage: ..................Unlimited Mintage

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

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 per mille (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mintage: ..................Unlimited Mintage

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

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United Kingdom
Britannia Bullion Coins

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