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

Updated on 03/09/2024

1 oz. UK Britannia Silver 
Bullion Coin

The UK Britannia Silver Bullion coin is Europe's first silver bullion coin.

The Royal Mint introduced the Silver Britannia in 1997 as a collector's silver proof set to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Gold Britannia's minting; in 1998, minting began on the Silver Britannia bullion coin.

The bullion coin has a proof-like finish, just like the Australian Kookaburra, Koala, and the Austrian Philharmonic silver bullion coins.

The Silver Britannia, a 1 oz silver bullion coin, is highly regarded for its high-quality finish, making it an ideal addition to any investment portfolio or coin collection.

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.

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Design of the
1 oz. Britannia Silver Bullion Coin

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Obverse

The direction of the monarch's face is a subdued change between the 2022 and 2024 Silver 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, the designer of King Charles III's portrait, stated the following about his design: "It is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come.”

Martin Jenning's initials "MJ" are under the King's neck. (click image to enlarge)

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

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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.
• face value is "2 POUNDS"

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

Coin Photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint.

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Reverse

"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.

Designer Philip Nathan created Britannia's design.

Inscriptions:

• BRITANNIA
• Year of Issue "2024" 
• notched crenelated border
• weight of "1 oz" 
• Purity of "999 ∙ FINE ∙ SILVER"
• NATHAN - bottom of the rock that Britannia is standing upon.

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Security Features

Security Features:

• Micro-Text on an inner perimeter banding stating "DECUS ET TUTAMEN," translated to "An ornament and a safeguard"
• 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 focusing on the coin's security.
• 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.

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Edge

The Royal Mint produces each Britannia Gold bullion coin with a reeded edge.

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The History of "Britannia"

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

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 published in 1577.

John Dee promoted 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 British Union Jack Flag on it.

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1 kilo. Britannia Silver
Coin Information

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ntroduction:..............2023

RA Apporved:............Yes (2023 to Present)

.rade:......................Uncirculated

Denomination:..........£500 GBP (500 pounds)

Pure Silver Content:..32.15 Troy oz.

Total Weight:............1000 grams

Purity:......................99.90% / 0.999

Diameter:.................100.00mm

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

Designers Reverse:...Philip Nathan (2021 to Present)

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

Coin Photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

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10 oz. Britannia Silver
Coin Information

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Introduction:.............2021

IRA Apporved:...........Yes (2021 to Present)

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

Denomination:...........£10 GBP (10 pounds)

Pure Silver Content:...10.0 Troy oz.

Total Weight:.............311.0 grams

Purity:......................99.90% / 0.999

Diameter:.................89.00mm

Designers Obverse:...Jody Clark (2021 - 2022)

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

Designers Reverse:....Philip Nathan (2021 to Present)

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

Coin Photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint.

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1 oz. Britannia Silver
Coin Information

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Introduction:.............1997

IRA Approved:...........No (1997 - 2012)

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

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

Denomination:...........£2 GBP (2 pounds)

Silver Content:..........1 Troy oz. (1997 - Present)

Total Weight:.............32.45 grams

Purity:......................95.80% / .9580 (1997 - 2012)

Purity:......................99.90% / 0.999 (2013 - Present)

Diameter:.................38.61mm

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

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

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

Designers Reverse:....Philip Nathan (1997 to Present)

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

Coin Photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

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1 oz. UK Britannia Silver Bullion Coins
Mintage Figures

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Year     Mintage

1998....88,909

1999....69,394

2000....81,301

2001....44,816

2002....36,543

2003....73,271

2004....57,000

2005....57,000

2006....50,300

2007....94,000

2008....100,000

2009....100,000

2010....126,367

2011....100,000

2012....100,000

2013....Mint to Order

2014....Mint to Order

2015....Mint to Order

2016....Mint to Order

2017....Mint to Order

2018....Mint to Order

2019....Mint to Order

2020....Mint to Order

2021....Mint to Order

2022....Mint to Order

2023....Mint to Order

2024....Mint to Order

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