| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2003 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 coins of the Britannia range in 2003 bear a new reverse design, the fourth image of Britannia by Philip Nathan. It depicts Britannia wearing a helmet in her brave defence of British shores. Britannia's image is steeped in history, having featured on a coin of every British monarch since the reign of King Charles II. The design is further enhanced by a mighty rolling wave, symbolising Britain's proud naval history - from Alfred the Great to the present day.
The composition of the coin is 91.77% gold alloyed with 8.23% silver. The coin was issued in Proof FDC grade only - in mint sets and as individual boxed 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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Within a toothed border, the portrait of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain, facing left; her helmet is pushed back to reveal her face. Overlaid on that, a pattern of waves.
Vertically to the left of her, the inscription BRITANNIA. To her right, also vertical, in three lines QUARTER OUNCE FINE GOLD; the date of issue 2003 is horizontal below this.
The artist's initials PN (Philip Nathan) are in relief in small letters in the lower right field. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | 609 individual coins, plus 2,075 in sets. |
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| Included in Set |
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2003 Gold Proof Britannia Four Coin Collection, mintage 1,250, limited to 1,250
4 coins: £100 (1oz), £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
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2003 Gold Proof Britannia Three Coin Collection, mintage 825, limited to 1,500
3 coins: £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
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