Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia, Coin from United Kingdom
CoinPlatinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia

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) platinum 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 2008 bear a new reverse design, this time by artist John Bergdahl, featuring Britannia on the beach, with her robes morphing into a giant waves, and a lighthouse in the background reminiscent of British pre-decimal designs.

The Royal Mint says:
"A new standing portrait of Britannia has been created for the coins of 2008 and is the work of John Bergdahl who wanted to convey a sense of Britannia being at one with the wind and sea and to make her seem elemental. He also wanted to incorporate traditional motifs, like the lighthouse, which have long been associated with Britannia in coin designs. Britannia here is shown to be maiden-like and innocent while at the same time being a warrior princess."

The quarter-ounce (1/4oz) platinum coin was issued in Proof FDC grade only, in mint sets and as individual boxed proof coins.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 250
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia - obverse photo

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.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH ' II D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 25 ' POUNDS '
Reverse
United Kingdom / Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia - reverse photo

At centre, the standing figure of Britannia facing right, holding a trident in her right hand and with a shield at her left side, decorated with the cross of the Union Jack with "heraldic stripes" indicating its colours. She wears a crested Corinthian helmet, pushed back to reveal her face. The fold of her dress transform into a wave. There is a lighthouse to the right.

Around above left, the inscription BRITANNIA, and the date 2008 above right. Around below, · 1/4 OUNCE PLATINUM ·.

The artist's initials JB (for John Bergdahl) are incuse in the rocks under the lighthouse.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIA 2008 · 1/4 OUNCE PLATINUM ·
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

100 individual coins, plus coins in sets.

Included in Set
The 2008 UK Britannia Four-Coin Platinum Proof Collection, mintage 150, limited to 250
4 coins: £100 (1oz), £50 (1/2oz), £25 (1/4oz), £10 (1/10oz)
See also

This reverse design was issued in a variety of formats:
- 1 oz platinum
- 1/2 oz platinum
- 1/4 oz platinum
- 1/10 oz platinum
- 1 oz gold
- 1/2 oz gold
- 1/4 oz gold
- 1/10 oz gold
- 1 oz silver
- 1/2 oz silver
- 1/4 oz silver
- 1/10 oz silver

Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint Mintage link
All (11) coins of type: Platinum Quarter Ounce (1/4 oz)
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2007 Britannia 460 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH ' II ' D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 25 ' POUNDS '
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia 250 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait ELIZABETH ' II D ' G REG ' FID ' DEF ' 25 ' POUNDS '
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2017 Platinum Wedding 898 ELIZABETH II D G REG F D · PHILIP PRINCEPS · 25 POUNDS
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2017 Britannia 558 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS ·
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2018 Prince Charles 202 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 2018 · 25 POUNDS ·
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2018 Britannia 370 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS ·
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2019 Britannia 168 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS ·
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2020 Britannia 150 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS ·
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2021 Britannia 149 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS ·
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2022 Britannia 149 Queen Elizabeth II - Fifth Portrait ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS ·
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2023 Britannia 210 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 25 POUNDS · 2023 ·
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Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypePlatinum Quarter Ounce (1/4 oz)
Issued2008
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait, by Ian Rank-Broadley
ReverseBritannia, Standing
Face Value25 (x Pound)
Total Mintage250
CurrentYes
Material0.9995 Platinum
DesignerJohn Bergdahl
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size20.0000 mm
Mass7.8460 g
OCC IDLGVB-OLDC-LMPB-OMPX
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Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia: Photos
ImageDetails
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia: Photo Great Britain: Elizabeth II platinum Britannia Proof Set 2008 / thumbnail Great Britain: Elizabeth II platinum Britannia Proof Set 2008
Copyright: Heritage Auctions
Source
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia: Photo Great Britain: Elizabeth II platinum Britannia Proof Set 2008 / thumbnail Great Britain: Elizabeth II platinum Britannia Proof Set 2008
Copyright: Heritage Auctions
Source
Platinum Quarter Ounce 2008 Britannia: Catalogue Reference IDs