Britannia coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997. These original Britannia silver coins contain one troy ounce (1 oz) of silver and have a face value of £2. Silver Britannias are also issued in fractional sizes of one-half, one-quarter, one-tenth, 1/20th and 1/40th of a troy ounce and with face values of £1, 50p, 20p, 10p and 5p respectively. There is also a five-ounce coin of face value £10.
Until 2012, the coins had a diameter of 40 mm and were made of 32.45 g of "Britannia silver" (an alloy with 23 parts silver and one part copper - in other words, 95.8% silver); coins made in 2013 and after have a diameter of 38.61 mm, mass of 31.21 g and are made of 99.9% silver.
Also starting in 2013, the proof versions of the coin feature a different design each year, while the bullion version of the coin will always feature the classic standing Britannia. |
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Silver Britannias have been released each year beginning in 1997, when a silver proof set was offered. In 1998 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.
Starting in 2013, the proof versions of the coin feature a different design each year, while the bullion version of the coin will always feature the classic standing Britannia. |
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