Britannia (coin)
The Britannia is a British bullion coin in gold and in silver.
- 3.1 History and bearing strength
- 3.2 Data
Etymology
In Roman times, was worshiped under the name of Britannia by the Romano-British female genius of the country Britain as a deity. This is now regarded as the personification of Britain.
Britannia in Gold
History and circulation strength
The Britannia was first published in 1987, already in the four different sizes, and was therefore the first European bullion coin. The Mint is the Royal Mint. The rest of the gold Britannia with a full troy ounce reached in 1987 with 92,000 pieces peaked (all sizes together: 150,367 ounces ) and has since been declining. In some years, it was therefore only minted in proof plate or as sets. Today, the coin has a market share of almost a percent.
Description
The coin has a fineness of 999.9 thousandths since 2013. As the Sovereign and the Krugerrand - - a fineness of 916.66, which corresponds to 22 carat By 2012, the Britannia had. Until 1989 it was used as an alloy of copper with a share of one-twelfth. Then silver and copper was used in the same proportion to each other. This had the consequence that the color of the coin changed from red to yellow. All designs are framed in a jagged edge. Until 2000, the motif of the front remained unchanged. The "Standing Britannia design " by P. Nathan shows the Britannia with shield, helmet and trident. In addition, the size of the coin, Britannia, to 2001 Nathan ( uncirculated ) or P. Nathan ( Proof ) and the year of issue stamped. Since 2001, the design of the Britannia switches on the front with every odd year. In 2001, the motive was " Britannia with a lion ," 2003 "Head of female Britannia " and 2005 " Seated Britannia ".
On the back of the portrait of the throne holder, so far only Queen Elizabeth II, and the nominal value is marked. As with all coins of the Commonwealth, the portrait becomes discontinuous adapted to the appearance of the regent.
Data
( Variations in diameter of several tenths of a millimeter possible)
Britannia silver
History and circulation strength
Since 1997, the Britannia is minted in silver by The British Royal Mint. The coin has a purity of 95.8 %. The annual edition of the coins is 2500 piece in Polished plate and 100,000 units in the uncirculated version of the first edition was only available in Polished plate. The 1/10 ounce coins are available separately partly. The 1/2 and 1/4 ounce coins are just as polished plate sets are available (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005 ). From the year of issue 2013 is the fineness of the coin 999 /1000 sec.
Data
( Variations in diameter of several tenths of a millimeter possible)