| Coin | Silver Quarter Ounce 1997 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 (that is, the quarter ounce silver piece is officially denominated as 50 pence). There is also a five-ounce coin of face value £10.
1997 was the tenth year of the Britannia bullion coins range, and the first issue of silver Britannias (they were only gold before). The anniversary edition was marked by a new design, known as The Charioteer, where Britannia is depicted standing whilst driving a two-horse chariot in the manner of the warrior queen Boudicca (Boadicea).
This coin was issued in Proof FDC grade in mint sets only, not individually. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH ' II ' DEI ' GRATIA ' REGINA ' F ' D ' 50 PENCE '. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.
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| Reverse | |
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At centre, the standing figure of Britannia riding in a chariot drawn by two horses, holding the reins in her right hand and a trident in her left. She is wearing a Corinthian helmet, pushed back.
Around above, the inscription QUARTER ' OUNCE ' FINE ' SILVER ', and the date 1997. Around below, BRITANNIA.
The artist's initials PN (for Philip Nathan) are in the left field, above and behind the chariot wheel. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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