Britannia coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997. The original Britannia silver coins contain one troy ounce (1 oz) of silver and have a face value of £2.
Silver Britannias are also issued in fractional sizes of one-half, one-quarter, one-tenth, 1/20th and 1/40th of a troy ounce and with face values of £1, 50p, 20p, 10p and 5p respectively. There is also a five-ounce coin of face value £10.
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 half-ounce (1/2oz) silver coin was only issued in mint sets in Proof FDC grade, and not individually. | 
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