Britannia Fact File
Everything you need to know about Britannias.One Ounce of Gold
Many countries now issue a one ounce bullion coin, to be sold at a very low premium over the intrinsic gold value.The British version is the Britannia.
Britannias were introduced in 1987, in four weights from one ounce to fractional sizes of half ounce, quarter ounce, and tenth ounce.
Britannias must rank amongst the most world's most beautiful bullion coins.
Both proof and bullion versions have been issued every year from 1987, although most of the proof coins are only available as part of complete sets.
The Britannia Family
Gold Britannias are available in four different sizes and weights, from one ounce to one tenth of an ounce, as detailed below.Britannia - A New Design With A 2000 Year Old Tradition
Britannia first appeared as a reverse type on Roman coins almost 2000 years ago.She reappeared on copper halfpennies and farthings of Charles II from 1672, and continued to appear on bronze coins until decimalisation, when she jumped ship onto the new fifty pence coins.
Britannia is usually portrayed seated, but in 1901 to 1935 she appeared standing on British Trade Dollars, and from 1902 to 1910, also on the florins of Edward VII.
The new "Standing Britannia" used on the gold britannia coins was designed by sculptor Philip Nathan.
Low Premium Over Gold Content
As with most one ounce gold bullion coins, they are made available to world bullion dealers at a 3% premium over the current gold fix, so that after distribution costs, the coins would be available to investors in quantity at about 4% to 5% over intrinsic gold values, and possibly 10% premium for single pieces.Higher Premium on Smaller Sizes
The fractional sizes were issued at higher premiums to bullion dealers of 5%, 7%, and 9% respectively. The fractional coins have never been as popular as the full one ounce coins, usually only being purchased as singles, so that in practice, it would usually cost 10% to 15% premium for the half and quarter ounce, and from 20% to 50% premium for the tenth ounce, most of which seem to have been used in jewellery. Most bullion houses do not want the bother of handling small quantities of low value coins.VAT Free From January 2000
In Britain investment gold coins became VAT free.Continuous Service from Chard
Chard have maintained a dealing service for both collectors and investors in bullion and numismatic coins since 1964.Technical Specifications
The following table summarises the specifications of all the sizes.| Size | Face Value | Diameter | Weight | Alloy | Gold Content | Gold Content |
| mms. | Grams | /1.000 | Grams | Troy Ounces | ||
| One Ounce (1987 - 2012) | £100 | 32.69 | 34.0500 | .917 | 31.104 | 1.0000 |
| One Ounce (2013) | £100 | 38.61 | 31.2100 | .9999 | 31.104 | 1.0000 |
| One Ounce (2014 - to present) | £100 | 32.69 | 31.2100 | .9999 | 31.104 | 1.0000 |
| Half | £50 | 27.00 | 17.0250 | .917 | 15.552 | 0.5000 |
| Quarter | £25 | 22.00 | 8.5130 | .917 | 7.776 | 0.2500 |
| Tenth | £10 | 16.50 | 3.4120 | .917 | 3.110 | 0.1000 |
The 1
/ 12
th of the alloy which is not gold, is copper for issues until 1989, and silver from 1990.
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres.
Gold Prices
Gold bullion prices fluctuate constantly. We don't try to maintain a current price quotation on our website.Please contact us if you wish to buy or sell Britannias.
The Classic Gold Britannia Collection
Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per orderEU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping by Fedex $40 per order
Britannia Proof Issues
In every year, The Royal Mint have produced proof versions of the Britannia. These are usually available only in sets of all four sizes, and in pairs of the two smallest sizes. We occasionally have one or more sets available, please take a look at our Britannia Proof Sets page.
One Ounce
Fractional Britannias
Size to Scale
Half Ounce
Quarter Ounce
Tenth Ounce
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E-mail: Contact Us The URL for our main page is: taxfreegold.co.uk
32 - 36 Harrowside, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RJ, England. Telephone (44) - (0) 1253 - 343081; Fax 408058;
E-mail: Contact Us The URL for our main page is: taxfreegold.co.uk