Britannia coins are British bullion coins issued by the Royal Mint in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997. These 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.
Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Britannia coin range, in 2007 a large variety of formats were issued, bearing a new reverse design - this time by Christopher Le Brun, the first artist after the original designer Philip Nathan to contribute to the series. 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. It is rendered in a more Classic, detailed style.
The olive branch curving to the left of the figure is like a wreath, hence the Wreath Britannia nickname for the design.
The one-ounce (1oz) silver coin was issued as "bullion" (in Brilliant Uncirculated grade) and in Proof FDC grade - in mint sets and as individual boxed proof coins. |
| Obverse | |
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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 ' 2 ' 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.
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| Reverse | |
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At centre, the seated figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain, facing right; in a break with tradition, she is not helmeted. Her right hand cradles a trident resting on her right shoulder. She is holding an olive branch in her outstretched left hand. Her shield, propped up beside her, is oval and is decorated with the cross of the Union Jack.
A large lion rests at Britannia's feet. In the background - sea, sailing boat and cliffs to the right; a large tree and curving olive branch to the left.
Around left and right, interrupted by the top of the olive branch, the inscription ONE OUNCE FINE SILVER BRITANNIA.
Below the exergue line, horizontally, the date of issue 2007. Exactly at the exergue line, at right, in tiny letters the designer's initials CLB (for Christopher Le Brun). |
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