| Coin | Gold Half Ounce 2012 Britannia - Standing |
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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.
In 2012, the Britannia range was issued with the "definitive" standing Britannia type of reverse design to mark its 25th anniversary. This was the last year when the composition was 22-carat gold (91.7%) alloyed with silver; the next year, it changed to 99.99% gold.
The half-ounce (1/2oz) gold coin was only issued in Proof FDC grade, in mint sets and not individually. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coins shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).
Around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 50 ' POUNDS '. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.
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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 ' BRITANNIA ' 2012 ' ' 1/2 ' ' OUNCE ' FINE ' GOLD '.
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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| Issued in Set |
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Britannia 25th Anniversary 1987 - 2012 The Gold Portrait Collection, mintage 25
9 coins: 1/2oz Standing Britannia, 1/2oz Charioteer Britannia, 1/2oz Guardian Britannia, 1/2oz Waves Britannia, 1/2oz Seated Britannia, 1/2oz Wreath Britannia, 1/2oz Beachside Britannia, 1/2oz Profile Britannia, 1/2oz Union Jack Britannia
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The 2012 UK Britannia Four-Coin Gold Proof Set, mintage 352
4 coins: £100 (1oz), £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
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The 2012 UK Britannia Three-Coin Gold Proof Set, mintage 99
3 coins: £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
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Britannia 25th Anniversary 1987 - 2012 Celebration Gold Set, mintage 13
8 coins: £100 (1oz) 1987, £50 (1/2oz) 1987, £25 (1/4oz) 1987, £10 (1/10oz) 1987, £100 (1oz) 2012, £50 (1/2oz) 2012, £25 (1/4oz) 2012, £10 (1/10oz) 2012
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