British Gold Britannia Coins

Gold Britannia Coins

Introduced by The Royal Mint in 1987, the Britannia coins have played a significant role in the coin market. Gold Britannias are issued in 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/10 oz sizes with face values in British pounds (£) of £100, £50, £25, and £10, respectively. They are .9167 fine Gold and are legal tender in Great Britain. Until 1990, the Gold Britannia was alloyed with copper. However, beginning in 1990, the coins have been alloyed with Silver, which gives those issued since 1990 a lighter yellow color than the earlier Britannias. In 2013, the fineness increased to .9999 fine.

Gold Britannia Designs Through the Years

The Gold Britannia's attractive design was created to appeal to both collectors and investors alike. The obverse of the Gold Britannia bears a depiction of Queen Elizabeth II. The Gold Britannias issued from 1987 to 1997 feature the "Third Portrait" of Queen Elizabeth II. The "Fourth Portrait," a more mature likeness of Queen Elizabeth II, graces the Gold 1 oz Britannias issued from 1998 through today. The reverse pays tribute to the Britannia image that first appeared on coins produced under the rule of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.