Britannia before the coin
Britannia is far older than the coin that carries her name. She appeared on Roman coinage in the second century AD, and she returned to English coins in 1672 under Charles II. For centuries she was a fixture on British copper and later on the penny, holding a trident and shield as the personification of the nation.
The gold Britannia arrives
- The Royal Mint introduced the gold Britannia in 1987, to give Britain its own bullion coin in a market dominated by the Krugerrand and the Maple Leaf.
- The original standing Britannia was designed by Philip Nathan, and his design remains closely associated with the coin.
- Early Britannias were 22 carat. In 2013 the Royal Mint changed the coin to 999.9 fine, 24 carat gold.
Specification of the one ounce coin
| Fine gold | 31.1035 g, 1 troy ounce |
| Fineness | 999.9 since 2013 |
| Diameter | 32.69 mm |
| Face value | £100 |
| Legal tender | Yes, in the United Kingdom |
| Mint | The Royal Mint |
We also stock the half ounce, quarter ounce and tenth ounce sizes.
The symbolism
Britannia traditionally carries a trident, for sea power, and a shield bearing the Union Flag, for protection, and is often shown with an olive branch for peace. The obverse carries the portrait of the reigning monarch, so Britannias struck since the accession of King Charles III carry his effigy.
Security features
In 2021 the Royal Mint added four security features to bullion Britannias, making them among the hardest coins in the world to counterfeit convincingly:
- A latent image that switches between a padlock and a trident as the coin tilts.
- Micro text around the edge of the design.
- Fine tincture lines in the background of the shield.
- A surface animation that makes the background appear to move.
Checking these features is one of the first things we do when a Britannia comes through our hands.
Tax advantages
- As UK legal tender, the Britannia is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents.
- As investment gold, it carries no VAT.
That combination is why the Britannia is the default recommendation for most British buyers. More in VAT and Capital Gains Tax on gold.
Bullion and proof Britannias
Bullion Britannias are struck in large numbers and priced on their gold. Proof Britannias are struck to a mirror finish in limited numbers for collectors and sold at a premium. Graded examples of both are collected, and early proofs in top grades are particularly sought after. See our certified Britannias.
Questions people ask
Is the gold Britannia pure gold?
Britannias struck since 2013 are 999.9 fine, 24 carat. Earlier Britannias are 22 carat.
Is the Britannia Capital Gains Tax free?
Yes, for UK residents, because it is UK legal tender.
How can I tell if a Britannia is genuine?
Recent Britannias carry a latent image, micro text, tincture lines and surface animation. Buying from a reputable dealer is the best protection.
Why is the face value only £100?
Face value is a legal formality. The coin is worth far more because of the gold it contains.
What is the difference between bullion and proof?
Bullion is struck for its metal. Proof is struck to a higher finish in limited numbers for collectors.
This guide is general information, not financial, investment or tax advice. The value of precious metals can go down as well as up.
