Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia, Coin from United Kingdom
CoinSilver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia

Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The unusual format of twenty ounce (20 oz) silver coins are denominated as two hundred and fifty pounds (£250) and was issued for the first time in 2017 for the 20th anniversary of the silver Britannia range.

The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate these special editions as pieces of art. The coins are "one-year" types issued in parallel with smaller denominations with the same reverse designs.

Britannia as a symbol 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 designs like this one - used on proofs made for collectors.

While firmly rooted in the times of the Romans, a modern Britannia has emerged, appearing as a symbol of design excellence in high fashion magazines and associated with all things fashionable during the ‘Cool Britannia’ phase in the 1990s. On the 20th anniversary of the silver Britannia bullion coin, fine art student Louis Tamlyn has created a contemporary reverse design, reflecting a time of political change when the eyes of the world have often been on Britain. His design also contains a trident mint mark that celebrates these important anniversaries.

This is the first silver twenty-ounce coin issued in the United Kingdom; it was released to mark the twentieth anniversary of the silver Britannia range.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 103
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Obverse
United Kingdom / Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia - obverse photo

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 · 250 POUNDS ·. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, followed by the value and denomination in English.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 250 POUNDS ·
Reverse
United Kingdom / Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia - reverse photo

The reverse shows the standing figure of Britannia, in a style breaking with earlier traditional depictions. She is seen from the back, cradling her trident in one arm and holding a shield in the other hand (textured with concentric circles), and is wearing the familiar crested Corinthian helmet. Britannia's lower torso and legs are transformed into a map of Great Britain, with lines radiating outward from the centre of the coin.

To her right, the design displays the characteristic lines of the Union Jack.

Around, the inscription BRITANNIA 20 oz FINE SILVER 999 2017, interrupted in the right field by a trident privy mark with the numerals 20 between its teeth, as a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the silver Britannia range.

The artist's initials LWT (for Louis Tamlyn) are between the trident mark and the 2 of 2017. The face value is on the obverse.

Reverse Inscription BRITANNIA 20 oz FINE SILVER 999 2017
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Spink lists a silver kilo coin (as BK1) instead of this one, but such a coin seems not to exist.

See also

This reverse design was issued in a variety of formats:
- 1/4 oz platinum
- 30 oz gold
- 5 oz gold
- 1 oz gold (Proof version)
- 1/2 oz gold (Proof version)
- 1/4 oz gold (Proof version)
- 1/10th oz gold (Proof version)
- 1/20th oz gold
- 1/40th oz gold
- 20 oz silver
- 5 oz silver
- 1 oz silver (Proof version)
- 1/2 oz silver (Proof version)
- 1/4 oz silver
- 1/10th oz silver
- 1/20th oz silver
- 1/40th oz silver

Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint Mintage link
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Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia: Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypeSilver Twenty Ounces (20 oz)
Issued2017
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Portrait by Jody Clark (Fifth Portrait)
ReverseBritannia, Standing
Face Value250 (x Pound)
Total Mintage103
CurrentYes
Material0.999 Silver
DesignerLouis Tamlyn
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size100.0000 mm
Mass625.2000 g
OCC IDBVYX-OWRC-LAPP-EJZN
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Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia: Photos
ImageDetails
Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia: Photo Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia Proof Coin / thumbnail Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia Proof Coin
Copyright: Royal Mint
Source
Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia: Photo Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia Proof Coin / thumbnail Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia Proof Coin
Copyright: Royal Mint
Source
Silver Twenty Ounces 2017 Britannia: Catalogue Reference IDs