| Coin | Gold Half Ounce 1987 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 half ounce (1/2 oz) gold coins are denominated as Fifty Pounds (£50).
The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The mint makes a distinction between plain "bullion" coins (issued in Brilliant Uncirculated grade) and proofs; the "bullion-grade" coins have textured backgrounds of both the obverse and the reverse designs and use the generic "authoritative" design, while proofs are typically "one-year" types. They are usually issued in parallel with other denominations/sizes having the same reverse designs.
The 1987 gold half-ounce (1/2oz) coin was issued by the Royal Mint with the "definitive" standing Britannia type.
The composition of the coin is 91.77% gold alloyed with copper. The half-ounce (1/2oz) gold coin was issued as "bullion" (in Brilliant Uncirculated grade) and in Proof FDC grade - in mint sets and individually. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she used to wear on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH ' II ' DEI ' GRATIA ' REGINA ' F ' D ' 50 ' POUNDS '. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.
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| Reverse | |
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At centre, the standing figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain, facing left, with flowing robes, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face. She is holding a trident in her right hand; her left hand rests on a shield decorated with the cross of the Union Jack, and holds an olive branch. She is standing on a rock, with sea waves in the background.
Around, interrupted by the trident, the inscription ' 1/2 ' OUNCE ' FINE ' ' GOLD ' ' BRITANNIA ' 1987 '.
The artist's surname NATHAN (Philip Nathan) is in relief in small letters on the rock under Britannia's feet. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | This was the first year when coins of the Britannia bullion range were issued.
Mintage of the bullion coins is unknown. |
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