| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 1998 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 quarter ounce (1/4 oz) gold coins are denominated as Twenty-five Pounds (£25).
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 coins are typically "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with other denominations with the same reverse designs.
The 1998 gold quarter-ounce (1/4oz) coin was issued by the Royal Mint with the "definitive" standing Britannia type.
The composition of the coin is 91.77% gold alloyed with 8.23% silver. The coin was only issued in Proof FDC grade, in mint sets and as individual coins. |
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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 ' 25 ' 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 ' 1/4 ' OUNCE ' FINE ' ' GOLD ' ' BRITANNIA ' 1998 '.
The artist's name P. 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 | 560 individual coins, plus 750 coins in sets. |
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