| Coin | Silver Half Ounce 2023 Britannia |
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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.
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 design used on proofs made for collectors, such as this one.
The Mint says about it:
"Each evolution of the Britannia coin represents Britain at a moment in time, charting the nation’s history and the values it upholds.
For 2023, Britannia is drawn in a chariot by mighty sea creatures, in a design reminiscent of the iconic Boadicea and Her Daughters statue next to Westminster Bridge." |
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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 · 2023 ·. 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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The reverse shows, within a plain rim, the standing figure of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain, riding in a chariot across the waves; the chariot is drawn by two mythical "seahorses". Britannia holds a trident in her raised left hand, and supports a shield with the Union Jack (the flag of the United Kingdom) with her right hand. She wears a robe and a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face.
Around above, the inscription BRITANNIA, followed by the precious metal content (interrupted by the top of the trident): 1/2 oz 999 FINE SILVER (one half of a troy ounce of 99.9% silver). Around below, the date of issue 2023.
The artist's initials J.O (for Jonathan Olliffe) are near the rim below right.
The face value is on the obverse. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
Date of issue: 8 March 2023.
The coins were only issued in sets and not individually. |
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