British Silver Britannia Coins
The Silver Britannia coins are a series of silver bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom. They were first introduced in 1997 and have since become one of the most popular silver coins in the world.
Key features of the Silver Britannia coins include:
- Design: The obverse (front) of the coin features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, while the reverse (back) showcases the iconic Britannia figure, a symbol of British strength and resilience. The design of Britannia is updated periodically to provide a fresh interpretation of the symbol.
- Purity: The Silver Britannia coins are made of .999 fine silver, which means they contain 99.9% pure silver. This high purity makes them a popular choice among investors and collectors.
- Denominations and Sizes: The coins are minted in various denominations, including 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, and 1/10 ounce. The 1 ounce coin has a face value of £2, while the fractional sizes carry lower face values. Additionally, the Royal Mint has occasionally issued larger-sized coins, such as 5-ounce and 10-ounce versions.
- Legal Tender: The Silver Britannia coins are legal tender in the United Kingdom, which means they are recognized as official currency and can be used to settle debts. However, due to their higher intrinsic value, they are primarily valued and traded for their silver content (based on the current silver spot price) rather than their face value.
- Security Features: In recent years, the Royal Mint has introduced enhanced security features on the Silver Britannia coins to deter counterfeiting. These features may include micro-engraved radial lines, a latent image, or a holographic background.
- Limited Editions: The Royal Mint occasionally releases limited edition or special design variations of the Silver Britannia coins, often with unique finishes, privy marks, or selective coloring. These limited editions can have additional appeal to collectors.
Silver Britannia coins are popular not only among precious metal investors but also among coin collectors due to their beautiful designs, high quality, and historical significance. They offer a tangible and accessible way to invest in silver while enjoying the artistry and craftsmanship of British coinage.
Another popular silver coin is the 1 oz American Silver Eagle, known for its iconic design featuring Lady Liberty and the heraldic eagle. While both the Silver Britannia and Silver American Eagle are highly sought after, some investors lean towards the American Eagle for its status as the official silver bullion coin of the United States and its widely recognized design.
Silver Britannia Design
The Silver Britannia’s attractive design was created to appeal to both collectors and investors alike. The obverse of the 1997 issue of the silver coin features the “Third Portrait” used on British decimal bullion coins dated from 1985 to 1997. In 1998, the obverse design of the Silver Britannia coin, along with the obverse designs on all other British coins, changed to depict the “Fourth Portrait,” a more mature likeness of Queen Elizabeth II. The newest "Fifth Portrait" appeared on the Silver Britannia starting in 2016. The reverse of the Silver Britannia coin illustrates the Standing Britannia, which appears in a horse-drawn chariot. The Standing Britannia image was originally engraved by G.W. De Saulles and used on the florins of Edward VII from 1902 to 1910, and on the Gold Britannia coins for most of the issues following 1987.
The standard obverse of Queen Elizabeth II and the reverse of the Standing Britannia decorate all of the Silver Britannia bullion coins of 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. However, special designs and variations have appeared on the 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007 issues of the Silver Britannia coins. The first of the special single-year designs commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Gold Britannia coins in 1997, the same year of the Silver Britannia coin's introduction. Since then, The Royal Mint seems to have settled on a pattern of alternating the classic Standing Britannia image and a special design on the reverse of the Silver bullion coins. For example, the reverse of the 1997 and 1999 issues of the Silver Britannia coin depicts the same Standing Britannia design, but with one issue being a proof version of the silver coin and another issue being only an uncirculated version of the British silver bullion coin.
Silver Britannia Mintages
1 oz Silver Britannia coins have been minted since 1997 and are one of the most popular silver coins for investors. Their intages vary from year to year, including:
- 1997 - 16,005
- 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 - 129,086
- 2011 - 269,282
- 2012 - 351,372
- 2013 - 584,946
- 2014 - 623,741
- 2015 - 2,780,259
- 2016 - Minted by order
- 2017 - Minted by order
- 2018 - Minted by order
- 2019 - Minted by order
- 2020 - Minted by order
- 2021 - Minted by order
- 2022 - Minted by order
Purchasing Silver Britannias in Tubes (Rolls)
When it comes to purchasing bulk Silver Britannias, APMEX offers a convenient option with our tube packaging. The protective tubes are similar to more traditional coin rolls, but Silver Britannias are not sold in that format. The tube packaging serves as the next best alternative for secure storage and easy transportation of large quantities of these silver coins. A tube typically contains 25 Silver Britannias, each weighing one troy ounce. The tubes are specifically designed to protect the coins from scratches, damage, and environmental elements. They also provide an efficient way to organize and count the coins, making them ideal for investors or collectors looking to acquire larger quantities of Silver Britannias. APMEX's tube packaging option ensures that customers can conveniently handle, store, and transport their bulk Silver Britannias while maintaining the coins' integrity and condition. Larger quantities of Silver Britannia tubes (rolls) are shipped in protective monster boxes.
