UK Britannia Gold Bullion Coins (2024)

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Updated on 02/19/2024

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 provinceof the Roman Empire.

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

Afterthe decline of the Roman Empire, Britannia's image wasn't used againuntil the 16th century during the reign of Elizabeth I, when John Deepromoted 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 werethe first to use Britannia on coinage, Britain began using her image onpattern farthings made in 1665 alongside the Latin inscription "I Claimthe Four Seas."

After theActs of Unionin 1707, which joined the Kingdoms ofEnglandandScotland,the personification of the martial Britannia was used as an emblem ofBritish maritime power and unity, most notably in the patriotic song "Rule, Britannia!".

Today, Britannia is portrayed standing or seated alone, or with alion holding a spear or a three-prongedtridentin one hand and in theother 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.

Thelate Queen Elizabeth II faced to the right, and the new King ofEngland, Charles III, is facing the left; it is a tradition that datesback 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."

Inscribed, inside the notched crenelated border of the coin, are the words and letters "CHARLES III, D, G, REX, F, D".

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.

The Face Value of theBritannia Gold coin is "100 POUNDS."

The Government of the United Kingdom has guaranteed the Gold Britannia bullion coin as legal tender.

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

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

Reverse

"Britannia"is viewed as a beautiful young woman standing in the wind looking toher right, watching the seas, with flowing hair and aCorinthian helmeton 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; his last name, "NATHAN," is inscribed in the bottom of the rock that Britannia is standing upon.

"BRITANNIA" and the gold bullion coin's Year of Issue "2024" are inscribed inside the coin's notched crenelated border.

Across the top of the bullion coin is its weight of "1 oz" and Purity of "999.9 ∙ FINE ∙ GOLD."

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

Security Features

The Britannia's reverse side has several security features, including Micro-Text onan inner perimeter banding stating "DECUS ET TUTAMEN," translated to "Anornament and a safeguard."

In the lower left of the coin is a small circle with a latent image; the image is visible when the coin's angle is changed; itswitches between a trident emphasizing Britannia's naval strength and apadlock focusing on the coin's security.

Other security features include a beaded laser-engraved surface thatgives the impression of waves flowing in the background, plus the smoothlines on Britannia's shield provides contrast to the tones of light inthe United Kingdom Union Jack flag. (click photos to enlarge)

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

Edge

Just like theSilverand Platinum Britannia Bullion coins,the Royal Mint makes each Britannia Gold bullion coin with areeded edge.

1 oz. Britannia Gold
Coin Information

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)

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

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

1/2 oz. Britannia Gold
Bullion Coin
Information

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)

Mintage: ..................UnlimitedMintage

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

1/4 oz. Britannia Gold
Bullion Coin
Information

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)

Mintage: ..................UnlimitedMintage

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

1/10 oz. Britannia Gold
Bullion Coin
Information

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)

Mintage: ..................UnlimitedMintage

Coin photo provided courtesy of The Royal Mint

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