At a glance
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| The most gold for your money | 1oz Gold Britannia |
| British history and flexibility | Gold Sovereign |
| A modern series to collect | Royal Tudor Beasts |
| A completed series | Queen’s Beasts |
| Verified condition and scarcity | Certified coins |
| A small first purchase | Fractional coins |
Five questions to ask yourself
- Do I want gold, or do I want a collectable? Bullion coins are valued for metal. Collectables are valued for design, rarity and grade.
- How much do I want to spend? A full ounce is several thousand pounds. A quarter sovereign is a few hundred.
- Will I want to sell in parts? Smaller coins make that easy.
- Does Capital Gains Tax matter to me? If so, stick to British legal tender coins.
- Do I care about history? The sovereign carries two centuries of it. The Britannia is thoroughly modern.
Recognition matters more than people think
When you come to sell, the buyer has to be confident in what you are offering. The more widely recognised a coin is, the quicker and more cleanly it sells. In Britain, the sovereign and the Britannia sit at the top of that list, which is a large part of why they suit first time buyers.
The case for the Britannia
- 999.9 fine, 24 carat gold.
- The lowest premium per gram of any coin we sell, in its one ounce size.
- Advanced security features that make it very hard to counterfeit.
- British legal tender, so free of Capital Gains Tax for UK residents.
- Available from a tenth of an ounce to a full ounce.
Where it falls short: it has little of the history collectors enjoy, and it is not a scarce coin. Full detail in the Britannia guide.
The case for the Sovereign
- Struck in its modern form since 1817, with Pistrucci’s St George on the reverse.
- 22 carat, alloyed with copper, and very hard wearing.
- Small enough to sell one at a time when you need to.
- British legal tender, free of Capital Gains Tax for UK residents.
- Older dates and branch mints give collectors plenty to hunt.
Where it falls short: a higher premium per gram than a one ounce Britannia. Read the Sovereign guide.
Collectable series
The Royal Tudor Beasts is a ten coin Royal Mint series designed by David Lawrence, based on the heraldic statues at Hampton Court Palace. It suits buyers who enjoy building a set and want gold at the same time. The Queen’s Beasts series is complete, which gives it a fixed supply that collectors like. See the Royal Tudor Beasts guide.
Bullion or certified?
A certified coin holds the same gold as the bullion version. You pay more for independent authentication, a verified grade and a sealed holder. That is worth it if condition and scarcity matter to you, and not worth it if you simply want to own gold. The full comparison is in bullion vs certified coins.
Our honest recommendation
- First purchase: a Britannia, or a sovereign if you want to buy smaller.
- Building a holding over time: one ounce Britannias for efficiency, with some sovereigns for flexibility.
- Collecting: the Royal Tudor Beasts, or certified coins if condition matters.
- A gift: a sovereign or quarter ounce Britannia in a gift box.
If you are still not sure, ask us. We would rather talk you out of the wrong coin than sell it to you.
Questions people ask
What is the best gold coin for beginners?
Usually the Britannia or the sovereign. Both are British legal tender, widely recognised and easy to sell.
Is the Britannia better than the sovereign?
Neither is better outright. The Britannia gives more gold per pound spent; the sovereign offers history and the ability to sell in smaller pieces.
Are certified coins worth buying?
For collectors who value verified condition, yes. For someone who simply wants gold, bullion is better value.
Are gold coins VAT free?
Investment gold coins are exempt from VAT in the UK.
Can you help me choose?
Yes. Email or ring us and tell us roughly what you want to spend and why you are buying.
This guide is general information, not financial, investment or tax advice. The value of precious metals can go down as well as up.
