British Gold Britannia Coins

About Gold Britannias

The Gold Britannia coin is a bullion coin minted by the Royal Mint of the United Kingdom. It was first introduced in 1987, and its design features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side, while the reverse side features a classic design of Britannia. This ancient Roman goddess symbolizes the British Isles.

The Gold Britannia coin is made of 22-karat gold, which means it is composed of 91.67% pure gold and 8.33% copper. It has a weight of one troy ounce and a diameter of 32.69 mm. The coin also has a face value of £100, although its actual worth is based on the current market value of gold.

The design of the Britannia on the reverse side of the coin has been updated several times since its initial release, with each new design reflecting a different interpretation of the iconic figure. Some designs feature Britannia standing, holding a trident and a shield, while others show her seated with a lion at her side. The obverse side of the coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, with the design being updated periodically to reflect her changing appearance over the years.

The Gold Britannia coin is popular among collectors and investors due to its high purity level, recognizable design, and status as legal tender in the UK. It is also part of a broader range of Britannia coins, including silver and platinum versions.

History Of Gold Britannias

The Royal Mint of the United Kingdom 1987 first introduced the Gold Britannia coin. At the time, it was intended to compete with other popular gold bullion coins, such as the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf and the South African Krugerrand. The initial design featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse side. In contrast, the reverse side featured a classic design of Britannia, the ancient Roman goddess symbolizing the British Isles.

The Gold Britannia was initially minted in 22-karat gold, with a weight of one troy ounce and a face value of £100. The coins were struck with high precision and attention to detail, making them popular among collectors and investors alike.

Over the years, the design of the Britannia on the reverse side of the coin has been updated several times, with each new design reflecting a different interpretation of the iconic figure. The design changes were made to keep the currency fresh and appealing to collectors, while still retaining the classic features that make the Gold Britannia instantly recognizable.

In 2013, the Royal Mint introduced a new security feature to the Gold Britannia: a radial sunburst pattern on the coin's background. This feature and other anti-counterfeiting measures make it more difficult to produce counterfeit Gold Britannia coins.

Today, the Gold Britannia is still one of the world's most popular gold bullion coins, known for its high purity, recognizable design, and status as legal tender in the UK. It is also part of a broader range of Britannia coins, including silver and platinum versions.