| Coin | Silver Quarter Ounce 2003 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.
The coins of the Britannia range in 2003 bear a new reverse design, the fourth image of Britannia by Philip Nathan. It depicts Britannia wearing a helmet in her brave defence of British shores. Britannia's image is steeped in history, having featured on a coin of every British monarch since the reign of King Charles II. The design is further enhanced by a mighty rolling wave, symbolising Britain's proud naval history - from Alfred the Great to the present day.
The quarter-ounce (1/4oz) silver coin was only issued in mint sets in Proof FDC grade, and not individually. |
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| 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 ' 50 ' PENCE '. 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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Within a toothed border, the portrait of Britannia - the female personification of Great Britain, facing left; her helmet is pushed back to reveal her face. Overlaid on that, a pattern of waves.
Vertically to the left of her, the inscription BRITANNIA. To her right, also vertical, in three lines QUARTER OUNCE FINE SILVER; the date of issue 2003 is horizontal below this.
The artist's initials PN (Philip Nathan) are in relief in small letters in the lower right field. |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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