| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2005 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 2005 bear a new reverse design, the fifth image of Britannia by Philip Nathan. On it, Britannia is shown seated, similar to the personification of Britannia originally used on coins of the Roman Emperor Claudius, and then on British halfpennies and farthings since 1672.
According to the official announcement:
"To continue the Britannia series, the Royal Mint again looked to award winning sculptor Philip Nathan. His new Britannia, the fifth since the bullion coins were introduced in 1987, shows Britannia in more traditional pose. Ever watchful, she sits at the seashore, her helmet and robes harking back to her Roman roots and her trident and shield recalling her great maritime history."
The composition of the coin is 91.77% gold alloyed with 8.23% silver. The quarter-ounce (1/4oz) gold coin was only issued in Proof FDC grade, in mint sets and as individually 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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At centre, the seated figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain, facing left; her helmet is pushed back to reveal her face; the rim of her robe is decorated with a geometric pattern. Her right hand rests on a shield curved in the Celtic style, decorated with the cross of the Union Jack, with heraldic stripes denoting its colours. With her left hand she cradles a trident resting on her left shoulder. In the background, waves to the right and an oak tree to the left.
Within a toothed border, around left and right, interrupted by Britannia's helmet and trident, the inscription QUARTER OUNCE FINE GOLD 2005.
Below the exergue line, horizontally, BRITANNIA.
The artist's initials PN (for 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 | 750 individual coins, plus 1,856 coins in sets. |
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| Included in Set |
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2005 Gold Proof Britannia Four Coin Collection, mintage 1,439, limited to 1,500
4 coins: £100 (1oz), £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
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2005 Gold Proof Britannia Three Coin Collection, mintage 417, limited to 500
3 coins: £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
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