| Coin | Gold Fortieth-Ounce 2023 Britannia |
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Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The one-fortieth ounce (1/40 oz) gold coins are denominated as Fifty Pence (50p) and have been issued since 2014.
These tiny coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with other denominations with the same reverse designs.
Britannia as a symbol - the female personification of Great Britain - has been depicted on British coinage for centuries. The bullion series called Britannia has been issued in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997; it has a "definitive" depiction - used on bullion coins (Brilliant Uncirculated grade), as well as “Britannia, the Changing Face of Britain” - a series of one-year design used on proofs made for collectors, such as this one.
The Mint says about it:
"Each evolution of the Britannia coin represents Britain at a moment in time, charting the nation’s history and the values it upholds.
For 2023, Britannia is drawn in a chariot by mighty sea creatures, in a design reminiscent of the iconic Boadicea and Her Daughters statue next to Westminster Bridge." |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin displays the first definitive portrait of King Charles III, which shows his bare (uncrowned) head facing left.
Below the neck truncation in tiny letters, the artist's initials MJ (for Martin Jennings).
Around, the monarch's legend followed by the face value and date of issue: CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE · 2023 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse shows, within a plain rim, the standing figure of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain, riding in a chariot across the waves; the chariot is drawn by two mythical "seahorses". Britannia holds a trident in her raised left hand, and supports a shield with the Union Jack (the flag of the United Kingdom) with her right hand. She wears a robe and a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face.
Around above, the inscription BRITANNIA, followed by the precious metal content (interrupted by the top of the trident): 1/40 oz 999.9 FINE GOLD (one fortieth of a troy ounce of 99.99% gold). Around below, the date of issue 2023.
The artist's initials J.O (for Jonathan Olliffe) are near the rim below right.
The face value is on the obverse. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
The coins were only issued in sets and not individually. |
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