| Coin | Gold Quarter Ounce 2021 Gold Standard |
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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.
Designed in 2016 to mark 200 years since the de facto introduction of the gold standard - tying the value of the British pound to that of gold - the Gold Standard 2021 bullion coin is an annual offering from The Royal Mint. Featuring the work of Royal Mint graphic designer Dominique Evans on its reverse, and Jody Clark's official portrait of Her Majesty The Queen on the obverse. The Gold Standard range now includes both a one ounce and quarter-ounce bullion coin struck in 999.9 fine gold.
The journey to Britain’s adoption of a gold standard can be traced through The Royal Mint’s long history, including back to 1717 when Sir Isaac Newton (who was Master of the Mint) issued a report that led to the gold guinea being assigned a fixed value. The Coinage Act of 1816 changed the financial system in Britain dramatically, and introduced a circulating gold coin; the iconic Sovereign. A new gold standard tying the value of The Sovereign to a precise measurement of gold was adopted to help stabilise the country’s war-torn economy, and by 1821, a gold standard was fully operational in Britain. |
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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 · 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.
The obverse has a textured background (a "micro-dot table texture") with a geometric pattern, known as "guilloché" - a decorative technique in which a very precise, intricate and repetitive pattern is mechanically engraved into an underlying material. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse shows jewellery scales - as used to weigh e.g. gold - on a background showing a compass and a "compass rose", symbolising the global influence of British gold coinage.
Around above, the inscription THE GOLD STANDARD, below which - divided by the top of the scale - the date of issue 2021.
Around below, · 1/4 OZ FINE GOLD · 999.9 ·.
The artist's initials DME (for Dominique Evans) are in the right field under the pane of the scales. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
THE GOLD STANDARD 2021 · 1/4 OZ FINE GOLD · 999.9 · |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).
Packaging: in individual capsule.
Royal Mint Product Code: UKBGS21O
Release price: £371.89 |
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