Britannia (coin)
| Silver Britannia (U.K.) | |
|---|---|
| Face Value: | £2 GBP |
| Mass: | 32.454 g (incorporating 1 Troy ounce of fine Silver |
| Composition: | 1997-2012 95.8% Ag
2013 - 99.9% Ag |
| Diameter: | 1997-2012 40.00mm
2013 - 38.61mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Years of Minting: | 1997–present |
| Reverse | |
| Design: | Britannia |
| Design Date: | 2009 |
| Obverse | |
| Design: | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Design Date: | 2009 |
Britannia coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997.
Britannia gold coins contain one troy ounce of gold and have a face value of £100. Gold Britannias also are issued in fractional sizes of one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth of a troy ounce and with face values of £50, £25, and £10 respectively.
Britannia silver coins contain one troy ounce of silver and have a face value of £2. Silver Britannias also are issued in fractional sizes of one-half, one-quarter, and one-tenth of a troy ounce and with face values of £1, 50p, and 20p respectively.
Contents |
Gold Britannia [edit]
From 2013 the gold coins have a millesimal fineness of .9999 (or 24 carat gold). Until 2012 the gold coins have a millesimal fineness of .917 (91.7% or 22 carat gold) with the non-gold component being copper until 1989 and silver from 1990.
2013 Gold Britannia specifications (gold content, not total weight)
- One ounce: diameter 38.61 mm, (31.104 g)
1987-2012 Gold Britannia specifications (gold content, not total weight)
- One ounce: diameter 32.69 mm, (31.104 g)
- Half ounce: diameter 27.00 mm, (15.552 g)
- Quarter ounce: diameter 22.00 mm,(7.776 g)
- Tenth ounce: diameter 16.50 mm, (3.110 g)
Silver Britannia [edit]
From 2013 the silver coins have a millesimal fineness of .999 (99.9% silver). From 1997-2012 the silver coins have a millesimal fineness of 958 (95.8% or Britannia silver).
Silver Britannias have been released each year beginning in 1997, when a silver proof set was offered. In 1997 and in all subsequent even-numbered years the reverse design has depicted a standing Britannia figure. Beginning in 1999 and continuing in odd-numbered years, a series of alternate, non-repeating depictions of Britannia have replaced the standing figure on the reverse.
Silver Britannia mintages [edit]
| Year | Uncirculated | Proof | Proof sets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | – | 16,005 | 11,832 |
| 1998 | 88,909 | 5,212 | 3,044 |
| 1999 | 69,394 | – | – |
| 2000 | 81,301 | – | – |
| 2001 | 44,816 | 7,643 | 10,000 |
| 2002 | 48,816 | – | – |
| 2003 | 73,271 | 5,456 | 5,000 |
| 2004 | 100,000 | 5,000 | – |
| 2005 | 100,000 | 10,000 | 3,500 |
| 2006 | 100,000 | 2,750 | – |
| 2007 | 100,000 | 7,500 | 2,500 |
| 2008 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2009 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2010 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2011 | 100,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 2012 | 100,000 | 2,500 | - |
| 2013 | Unlimited | 2,500 | - |
Source: "Silver Britannia Mintage". Silver Bullion World. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
See also [edit]
- Bullion coin (e.g. American Gold Eagle, Australian Gold Nugget, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, Krugerrand South Africa)
- Chinese lunar coins
- Gold as an investment
- Islamic gold dinar
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References [edit]
- Krause, Chester L., and Clifford Mishler (2004). 2005 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901–Present (32nd ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873497945.
- Coins of England & The United Kingdom, 40th ed., Spink, 2005, ISBN 1-902040-59-7
