| Coin | Silver Twentieth-Ounce 2021 Britannia |
|---|
|
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 twentieth-ounce silver piece is officially denominated as 10 pence). There are also sizes larger than an ounce.
Britannia as a symbol - the female personification of Great Britain - has been depicted on British coinage for centuries. The bullion series called Britannia has been issued in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997; it has a "definitive" depiction - used on bullion coins (Brilliant Uncirculated grade), as well as “Britannia, the Changing Face of Britain” - a series of one-year design used on proofs made for collectors, such as this one.
The Mint says about it:
"The female warrior has been a constant throughout the ages; however, one thing that hasn’t remained the same is the manner in which Britannia coins are struck. In fact, coin production has changed dramatically, from the primitive days of literally striking handheld dies with a hammer to the cutting-edge technology used today.
The Britannia 2021 collection is based around the theme of the Spirit of Innovation and the design itself fully reflects that. Talented illustrator P. J. Lynch took this concept to heart, using the numismatic canvas to innovate how we see the image of Britannia." |
|
|
| 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 · 10 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.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
The reverse shows the seated figure of Britannia, the female personification of Great Britain, facing the viewer, her robes billowing in the wind behind her. She wears a crested Corinthian helmet, pushed back to reveal her face. With her left hand she supports a trident and a shield carrying the symbol of the Union Jack on it. Her right hand hugs a lion resting at her feet.
The central circle is patterned with rays radiating from the centre.
In large letters around the rim, interrupted by the tip of the trident, the inscription BRITANNIA; below, the date of issue 2021.
The precious metal content is above left inside the central circle: 1/20 oz 999 FINE SILVER (one twentieth of an ounce of 99.9% silver). The face value is on the obverse.
The artist's initials PJL (for P.J. Lynch) are below right. |
|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
| Notes | Finish: Proof FDC.
The coins were only issued in sets and not individually. |
|---|
|
|
Search for United Kingdom: Silver Twentieth-Ounce 2021 Britannia on eBay 
