Britannia Gold Coins

From its first minting in 1987, the British gold Britannia coin has become one of the most widely-recognized gold bullion coins in the world. Unlike most of the world’s mints, UK’s Royal Mint never stopped creating gold coins. From 1817 to present, despite the 1972 collapse of the Bretton-Woods agreement that ended the gold standard, the Royal Mint continued making the legendary sovereign, once the backbone of global commerce.

When the age of modern gold bullion coins returned, the Royal Mint was well prepared – of all sovereign mints around the world, only they had kept the art of working in gold alive. Every bit of their eleven centuries of skill and craftsmanship is on display in the gold Britannia series.

Who is Britannia?

Britannia has been the national personification of Britain (an allegorical figure like our Lady Liberty), since 143 AD. The Roman Emperor Hadrian once reigned over the mysterious, fog-shrouded island he called Britannia – who was represented as a female figure seated amidst ocean waves. Britannia was rescued from history and revived as a national symbol in 1672, on coins minted by King Charles II. Ever since then, Britannia has appeared in a variety of forms on British money. Which made her the perfect choice when the Royal Mint was selecting designs for gold coins destined for the international bullion markets.

As an appealing and distinctive figure that was also instantly recognizable as British, she first appeared on gold bullion coins in 1987 and on silver bullion coins in 1997. Britannia is always portrayed as an armed and armored woman, bearing a weapon and a shield. Like the eagle’s olive branch and arrows, Britannia’s armaments symbolize both peace and war (the trident is a humble fishing spear first, a weapon second).

She’s most often seen as the traditional or “classic” Britannia design by Philip Nathan, virtually unchanged since 2012.

The gold Britannia in detail

The Philip Nathan design takes a strongly maritime approach to the traditional Britannia design. She stands atop a windswept clifftop, hair and gown alive in the breeze. She gazes over her right shoulder, out to sea, ever watchful. Her right hand bears a three-pronged trident; her left grasps both an olive branch and an oval shield bearing the Union Jack. A holographic pattern in the background, a repeating pattern of waves, comes to life in bright light.

The obverse of the gold Britannia featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II from 1987-2023. In 2023, her heir, King Charles III, will become the second monarch in history to appear on the gold Britannia.

Gold Britannia coins are an unlimited mintage series released annually in four weights: 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz and 1/10 oz. Thanks to their iconic status in the global marketplace, they’re a highly liquid, in-demand form of gold bullion worldwide. Now available for home delivery or within your Precious Metals IRA.

Please note, Birch Gold’s selection of products rotates over time. To learn more about British Britannia gold bullion coins, their availability and current pricing, please call us at (800) 355-2116.