Coin | Silver Quarter Ounce 2023 Britannia, Bullion |
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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.
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 Royal Mint says about the coin; Britannia has long featured on British coins and has evolved through the ages to reflect the nation she represents. In 1987, a stunning incarnation of Britannia was created by sculptor Philip Nathan for a new bullion coin. His Britannia was bold and beautiful and presented with carefully chosen symbols to reflect the nation’s values - a shield for protection, an olive branch for peace and a trident for her maritime links. The internationally recognised design is so highly regarded that only The Royal Mint is able to strike genuine Britannia coins featuring Philip Nathan’s interpretation of the icon. His design is as beautiful as ever and features on this quarter-ounce coin, struck in 999 fine silver and enhanced by The Royal Mint’s bullion finish. |
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Obverse | |
The obverse of the coin depicts the crowned old head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the Royal Diamond Diadem crown worn for her Coronation (her effigy known as the "Fifth Portrait").
In small letters below the head, the artist's initials J.C (for Jody Clark).
Running continuously around the effigy is the monarch's legend: ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 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.
The obverse has a textured background ("guilloche" geometric pattern). |
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Reverse | |
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 ' 1/4 oz ' 999 ' FINE ' SILVER '.
The artist's surname NATHAN (Philip Nathan) is in relief in small letters on the rock under Britannia's feet. |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated) Packaging: in 20-coin tubes. Issue date: 6 October 2022.
This is the last Britannia issue featuring the fifth and final effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Owing to the unfortunate tendency of some mints - the Royal Mint included - to issue future-dated coins, this coin is not exactly an error coin (considering that it was released like this intentionally) but is not right either. It is dated 2023, but features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II who died in September 2022; the coin should have carried the portrait of King Charles III instead. |
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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 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 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 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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