What is a Silver Britannia Coin?
A Silver Britannia is a British one troy ounce silver bullion coin issued by the Royal Mint. The silver Britannia has been issued since 1997 and its name derives from the image on the reverse of the coin which always shows Britannia in various poses. The coin has a denomination of two pounds is usually minted every year.
This article cover silver Britannia’s, but the coin is also minted (since 1987) as a Gold Britannia.
Silver 1 oz Britannia is the British silver bullion equivalent to the American Silver Eagle dollar or the Canadian Maple Leaf dollar.
Specifications
The Silver Britannia has a face values of £2.
The size and silver content 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 been 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)
Other sizes are available:
- Half ounce: diameter 27 mm, (15.60 g)
- One quarter ounce: diameter 22 mm, (7.86 g)
- One tenth ounce: diameter 16.50 mm, (3.13 g)
- One twentieth ounce: diameter 12 mm, (1.58 g)
- Five ounces: diameter 65 mm, (156.295 g)
Most (but not all) years are also available as proof.
Design
Known 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.
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.
Year | Reverse Design | Also in Proof? |
2016 | Britannia standing | Yes |
2015 | Britannia standing | Yes |
2014 | Britannia standing with lion | Yes |
2013 | Britannia seated with owl | Yes |
2012 | Britannia standing | No |
2011 | Britannia seated | Yes |
2010 | Head of Britannia | Yes |
2009 | Britannia standing in chariot | Yes |
2008 | Britannia next to waves | Yes |
2007 | Britannia seated with lion | Yes |
2006 | Britannia standing | Yes |
2005 | Britannia seated | Yes |
2004 | Britannia standing | Yes |
2003 | Head of Britannia | Yes |
2002 | Britannia standing | No |
2001 | Britannia walking with a lion | Yes |
2000 | Britannia standing | No |
1999 | Britannia standing in chariot | No |
1998 | Britannia standing | Yes |
1997 | Britannia standing in chariot | Yes |
Mintages have varied over the years.