What Are Silver Britannias?

This article covers the Silver Britannia, but the coin is also minted in gold. Besides the 1 ounce silver coin, the silver family includes Half ounce, One quarter ounce, One tenth ounce, One twentieth ounce and a massive Five ounce coin.

Specifications

The size and silver content of this coin has changed since the coin’s release in 1997.

Originally it was 958 (95.8%) silver (which is know as ‘Britannia Silver’, the rest is usually copper).

Since 2013 the silver coins have followed the modern trend of using pure silver and are now produced with a millesimal fineness of .999 (99.9% silver).

One ounce (1997-2012): diameter 40 mm, (32.454 g).
One ounce (2013-) : diameter 38.61 mm, (31.104 g).

Face value: £2 (GBP)

Most years are also available as proof, although not every year.

Design

Know by this name as an image of Britannia is always on the reverse, the coin has been minted in silver since 1997. The image of Britannia is changed every year, although odd years see Britannia standing and even years see her sitting. The image may be different on the proof and Unc versions of the same year.

Britannia, together with a combination of trident, Union Jack shield and lion are all symbols of Great Britain, devised many centuries ago to signify that Britain ruled the waves (as it did indeed in those days with the most powerful navy in the world). Britannia has been used on several other British coins.

The Obverse is always of Queen Elizabeth II.