Britannia Silver Coins

The first British Silver Britannia bullion coin was released in 1997 as a proof set, from that date through 2012 all Britannia coins contained .958 silver and have a face value of £2. Each coin contains one troy ounce of fine silver,

Britannia's are also minted in fractional sizes of £1 half ounce, 50p quarter ounce, 20p tenth of a ounce but this lens will focus primarily on the one ounce bullion and proof releases. Each year a different Britannia design is released by the Royal Mint. Commencing in 1998 coins were released in BU bullion finish as well as proof finish. In 2013 the composition was changed to .999 fine silver.

The coins and photos in this lens are part of my personal collection while the videos are links to the fine work of others. I hope you enjoy the review.

Mintage - To Order

This is the first year of release with a .999 fine silver composition. Also new this year, the coins will not have a 100,000 coin limited mintage but will be minted to order instead. The classic figure of a woman referred to as Britannia is a longstanding symbol of British pride. Her first appearance on British coins occurred in the seventeenth century and has subsequently appeared on the coinage of every monarch since. As it stands right now the design of the bullion release will be unchanged after 2013.

Series Specifications:

Legal Tender: £2 GBP

Weight: 32.454 g

Composition: 1997-2012 95.8% Ag, 2013 onward - 99.9% Ag

Diameter: 40.00mm

Edge: Reeded

Britannia, the protector of England, is proudly displayed holding her trident on the reverse of the coin. Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

Mintage - 100,000

This is the final year that the composition of .958 fine silver was used along with a 100,000 mintage limit. The 2012 coin features the traditional Philip Nathan's portrait of Britannia resplendently adorned in a flowing robe defiantly holding a trident.

There are also proof issues for many of the years. Above is a perfect graded example of the 2012 releases. These are quite striking when held in hand.

Mintage - 100,000

The 2011 release features two uniquely British symbols, this coin places seated Britannia against a backdrop of a flowing Union Jack flag.

Mintage - 100,000

The lion has been associated with England from Richard the Lionhearted to Una and the Lion. The 2010 Britannia featured the work of a artist Suzie Zamit and brings this classical British relationship with the Lion to the forefront.

Mintage - 100,000

Mintage - 100,000

Britannia could be the most recognizable of all the symbols associated with nations. She is nearly always shown defiantly wearing a helmet with classical flowing attire. She often looks battle ready with armor or bearing a shield and her weapons close at hand in the form of a trident or a spear.

Mintage 100,000

Mintage - 100,000

Mintage 100,000

Mintage 100,000

Mintage - 73,271

Mintage - 48,816

The 2002 release is the second lowest mintage of the Britannia Silver coin series. It features the traditional "Standing Britannia" design that has graced the coin on many of the even numbered years.

Mintage - 44,816...Key Year!

Mintage - 81,301

Mintage - 69,394

Mintage - 88,909

(Only struck as a proof)

The first Britannia Silver Coin was minted in 1997 in a proof finish to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the gold Britannia's release. The Silver Britannia was struck in so called Britannia silver which is .958 pure instead of the traditional Sterling silver .925 or the more widely used .999 fine composition of most other world silver bullion leaving it unique unto itself.