| Coin | Silver Ounce 2023 Britannia, Bullion (King Charles III) |
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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.
After 2013, the proof versions of the coin feature a different design each year, while the bullion versions of the coin - such as this one - have the classic, or "definitive" Standing Britannia reverse design.
The bullion Britannia has a number of security features, making it "the most visually secure coin in the world". These additions both decorate and protect the coin, just as the micro-text that borders the design states - DECUS ET TUTAMEN, or "an ornament and a safeguard". In the lower left-hand of the design, below Britannia’s flowing gown, is a trident to represent her naval history. As the viewer changes their perspective this trident becomes a padlock, emphasising the coin’s secure nature. Surface animation behind Britannia reflects the movement of waves, and fine details like the Union Flag on Britannia’s shield have been highlighted by tincture lines.
In the silver range, only the one-ounce and the kilos coin to carry these security features; they are also available on the gold editions. |
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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: CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 2 POUNDS ·. Translated from Latin, the legend means: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith.
The obverse has a textured background ("guilloche" geometric pattern) and a crenellated (toothed) border termed "castellation" by the mint. |
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| Reverse | |
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At centre, the standing figure of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain, facing left, with flowing robes, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face. She is holding a trident in her right hand; her left hand rests on a shield decorated with the cross of the Union Jack, and holds an olive branch. She is standing on a rock, with sea waves in the background.
Around, interrupted by the trident, the inscription ' BRITANNIA ' 2023 ' 1 oz ' 999 ' FINE ' SILVER '.
The artist's surname NATHAN (Philip Nathan) is in relief in small letters on the rock under Britannia's feet.
There are four advanced security features built into the design:
- in the lower left, a latent image changes from a padlock to Britannia’s famous trident when viewed from a different angle
- "surface animation" brings the background of sparkling waves to life as the coin is moved
- micro text gives both decoration and protection - the words DECUS ET TUTAMEN (from Latin: "an ornament and a safeguard") are repeated multiple times in the inner rim between the central circle with the design and the outer rim with the inscriptions
- Britannia’s shield bears the Union Flag accented with tincture lines - thin lines (also known as "heraldic colours") representing the colours of the flag. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Silver content (Troy oz): 1.000
Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).
Packaging: individual coin in capsule, or 25 in mint tube, or 500 (20 tubes) in mint box.
Royal Mint Product Code: UKBSB231CKC.
Release date: 18 January 2023.
Release price: £27.95.
This is the first Britannia issue featuring the effigy of King Charles III. Owing to the unfortunate tendency of some mints - the Royal Mint included - to issue future-dated coins, earlier Britannia coins dated 2023 had the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II; these were on sale from 6 October 2022; on 18 January 2023, coins carrying the King's portrait were introduced but those with the Queen's effigy also remained for sale. |
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| See also |
Coins from the Britannia 2023 range (different designs for Bullion and Proof):
- 1 oz Platinum Bullion (£100), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/4 oz Platinum Proof (£25), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/10 oz Platinum Bullion (£100), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 5 oz Gold Proof (£500), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 2 oz Gold Proof (£500), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Gold Bullion (£100), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Gold Bullion (£100), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Gold Bullion (£100), King Charles III Coronation (crowned effigy), Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Gold Proof (£100), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/2 oz Gold Bullion (£50), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1/2 oz Gold Bullion (£50), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/2 oz Gold Proof (£50), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion (£25), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1/4 oz Gold Bullion (£25), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/4 oz Gold Proof (£25), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/10 oz Gold Bullion (£10), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1/10 oz Gold Bullion (£10), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/10 oz Gold Proof (£10), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/20 oz Gold Proof (£1), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/40 oz Gold Proof (50p), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1 kg Silver Bullion (£500), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1 kg Silver Bullion (£500), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 5 oz Silver Proof (£5), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 2 oz Silver Proof (£5), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (£2), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (£2), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Silver Bullion (£2), King Charles III Coronation (crowned effigy), Britannia 2023
- 1 oz Silver Proof (£2), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/2 oz Silver Proof (£1), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/4 oz Silver Bullion (50p), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1/4 oz Silver Bullion (50p), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/4 oz Silver Proof (50p), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/10 oz Silver Bullion (20p), Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia 2023
- 1/10 oz Silver Proof (20p), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/20 oz Silver Proof (10p), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
- 1/40 oz Silver Proof (5p), King Charles III, Britannia 2023
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