| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2006 Britannia - Charioteer |
|---|
|
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.
In 2006, the Royal Mint re-issued the anniversary design of the 1997 silver ounce, known as The Charioteer, where Britannia is depicted standing whilst driving a two-horse chariot in the manner of the warrior queen Boudicca (Boadicea).
The composition of the coin is 91.77% gold alloyed with 8.23% silver.
This quarter-ounce (1/4oz) coin was issued in the five-coin Britannia Portrait Collection mint set only, in Proof FDC grade. |
|
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
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.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
At centre, the standing figure of Britannia riding in a chariot drawn by two horses, holding the reins in her right hand and a trident in her left. She is wearing a Corinthian helmet, pushed back.
Around above, the inscription QUARTER ' OUNCE ' FINE ' GOLD ', and the date 2006. Around below, BRITANNIA.
The artist's initials PN (for Philip Nathan) are in the left field, above and behind the chariot wheel. |
|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
|
Search for United Kingdom: Gold Quarter Ounce 2006 Britannia - Charioteer on eBay 