| Coin | Gold Twentieth-Ounce 2024 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 one-twentieth ounce (1/20 oz) gold coins are denominated as One Pound (£1) and have been issued since 2013.
These 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.
Britannia as a symbol - the female personification of Great Britain - has been depicted on British coinage for centuries. The bullion series called Britannia has been issued in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997; it has a "definitive" depiction - used on bullion coins (Brilliant Uncirculated grade), as well as “Britannia, the Changing Face of Britain” - a series of one-year designs used on proofs made for collectors, such as this one.
The mint says about it:
An unwavering symbol of strength and resilience graces a UK coin as we pay tribute to Britannia, the female personification of Britain, with a modern interpretation of the icon. Nearly 2,000 years ago, a figure was shaped to symbolise a nation and its people. Each year, a new artist reimagines Britannia for UK coins, bringing a fresh take on the changing face of Britain.
French artist Marie-Alice Harel, an award-winning author and illustrator, has created a modern interpretation of Britannia for this 2024-dated coin. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin displays the first definitive portrait of King Charles III, which shows his bare (uncrowned) head facing left.
Below the neck truncation in tiny letters, the artist's initials MJ (for Martin Jennings).
Around, the monarch's legend followed by the face value and date of issue: CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 1 POUND · 2024 ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith.
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| Reverse | |
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Within a plain rim, the reverse design depicts the face of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain. She faces left, and has a crested helmet with its visor lifted to reveal her face. The helmet is decorated with a standing lion, a symbol of England.
On the left, an ocean wave as a symbol of Britain's rich maritime history; in the sky, the Moon's crescent.
Around above, the inscription BRITANNIA 2024. In smaller letters below it, the precious metal content: 1/20 OZ 999.9 FINE GOLD (one twentieth of a troy ounce of 99.99% gold).
The artist's monogram is on the left: an inverted A above M, for Marie-Alice Harel.
The face value is on the obverse. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
Release date: 8 March 2024.
The coins were only issued in sets and not individually. |
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| Included in Set |
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Britannia 2024 UK Six-Coin Gold Proof Set, mintage unknown, limited to 250
6 coins: 1 oz (£100 ) Britannia, 1/2 oz (£50) Britannia, 1/4 oz (£25) Britannia, 1/10 oz (£10) Britannia, 1/20 oz (£1) Britannia, 1/40 oz (50p) Britannia
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Britannia 2024 UK Three-Coin Gold Proof Set, mintage unknown, limited to 500
3 coins: £25 (1/4oz) Britannia, £10 (1/10oz) Britannia, £1 (1/20oz) Britannia
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