| Coin | Gold Half Ounce 2019 Britannia, Proof |
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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.
Britannia as a symbol 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 designs like this one - used on proofs made for collectors.
In 2019, designer David Lawrence offered a second interpretation of Britannia, standing boldly with a lion by her side. This is the second year in a row that he has contributed a portrait of Britannia, lending her an air of consistency as the current and previous incarnations are compared side by side.
David said of his of design, “My initial thoughts were influenced by the great engravers of the past. Their work has a classical grace and gravitas I was keen to recreate. After all, coins of the realm are a serious business. The lion had to be there somewhere, as did the shield and trident... many of the components were already decided in a way. The end result is an Anglicised version of ancient Rome.”
This half ounce gold proof coin was issued in sets only and not individually. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait").
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 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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The reverse shows the standing figure of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain, facing right, with a lion at her feet. She is wearing a crested Corinthian helmet; in her right hand she is holding a trident with which she is pointing to the distance. The shield in her left hand has the symbol of the Union Jack cross on it.
In the background, the Sun's rays burst through a cloud.
Around left, the inscription BRITANNIA; above, 1/2 oz; around right, FINE GOLD 999.9; around below, the date of issue 2019.
The artist's signature D.L (for David Lawrence) is above left in the outer ring, above Britannia's flowing hair. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Issued in Set |
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The Britannia 2019 Collection - Premium Six-Coin Gold Proof Set, mintage 150, limited to 150
6 coins: £100 (1oz), £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz), £1 (1/20oz), 50p (1/40oz)
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The Britannia 2019 Collection - Premium Three-Coin Gold Proof Set, mintage unknown, limited to 130
3 coins: £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
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| See also |
Coins from the Britannia 2019 series (different designs for proof and bullion):
- 1 oz Platinum Bullion (£100), Britannia 2019
- 1/4 oz Platinum Proof (£25), Britannia 2019
- 1/10 oz Platinum Bullion (£10), Britannia 2019/10
- 5 oz Gold Proof (£500), Britannia 2019
- 2 oz Gold Proof (£200), Britannia 2019
- 1 oz Gold Bullion (£100), Britannia 2019
- 1 oz Gold Bullion (£100) Oriental version, Britannia 2019
- 1 oz Gold Proof (£100), Britannia 2019
- 1/2 oz Gold Bullion (£50), Britannia 2019
- 1/2 oz Gold Proof (£50), Britannia 2019
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion (£25), Britannia 2019
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof (£25), Britannia 2019
- 1/10 oz Gold Bullion (£10), Britannia 2019
- 1/10 oz Gold Proof (£10), Britannia 2019
- 1/20 oz Gold Proof (£1), Britannia 2019
- 1/40 oz Gold Proof (50p), Britannia 2019
- 1 kg Silver Proof (£500), Britannia 2019
- 5 oz Silver Proof (£10), Britannia 2019
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (£2), Britannia 2019
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (£2) Oriental version, Britannia 2019
- 1 oz Silver Proof (£2), Britannia 2019
- 1/2 oz Silver Proof (£1), Britannia 2019
- 1/4 oz Silver Proof (50p), Britannia 2019
- 1/10 oz Silver Proof (25p), Britannia 2019
- 1/20 oz Silver Proof (10p), Britannia 2019
- 1/40 oz Silver Proof (5p), Britannia 2019
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