"In 1997 the Royal Mint started production of silver bullion coins also under the name “Britannia”. The alloy used is Britannia silver.
Britannia silver is an alloy of silver containing 95.84% silver, with the balance usually copper.This standard was introduced in England by Act of Parliament in 1697 to replace sterling silver as the obligatory standard for items of "wrought plate".... with millesimal fineness 958 (95.8 %). The silver coins are available in 1 ounce, 1/2 ounce, 1/4 ounce, and 1/10 ounce.Silver Britannias have been released each year beginning in 1997, when a silver proof set was offered. In 1997 and in all subsequent even-numbered years the reverse design has depicted a standing Britannia.
Britannia was the term originally used by the Roman Empire to refer to the island of Great Britain. The term was later used to describe a Roman province covering much of the island, apart from the area beyond the Antonine Wall belonging to the Picts in the north, which was known as Caledonia.... figure. Beginning in 1999 and continuing in odd-numbered years, a series of alternate, non-repeating depictions of Britannia have replaced the standing figure on the reverse........"
extracted from:
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Britannia_coin
Here are some of my collection.
These silver Britannia cost much more than the regular silver bullion coins owing to the fact that maximum mintage per year is capped at 100,000 pieces across all product type. Its also the heaviest 1 ounce silver coin to date, weighing a total of 32.45 grams (31.10 grams pure silver and balance copper). The proofs are especially hard to come by.
Here are some of my collection.
These silver Britannia cost much more than the regular silver bullion coins owing to the fact that maximum mintage per year is capped at 100,000 pieces across all product type. Its also the heaviest 1 ounce silver coin to date, weighing a total of 32.45 grams (31.10 grams pure silver and balance copper). The proofs are especially hard to come by.
Some interesting read about the 2008 Britannia:
http://www.royalmint.com/focus/britannia.aspx
**Note: This is the first time a new design is use on an even numbered year. In the past, all even years (98,00,02,04,& 06), the traditional standing Britannia was used.
Will the Royal Mint use this design again for 2010 or perhaps another new design?
The 1999 and 2001 Britannias are the ones which drew my heart to them. How to get them individually?
ReplyDeleteThe 1999 design is actually repeated in the current 2009 Britannia. The 2001 cost more to acquire individually.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is actually the 2003, a real close up of Britannia's face, absolutely gorgeous.
"The 1999 and 2001 ..." If you are talking about 1 Oz. 2 Pds. "Proof" Britannias, they were not issue in 1999, 2000 & 2002. All Britannias looks stunningly shiny. So, be aware of what you are looking and paying for. 1998 being the 1st official issue of the series & 2001 being the lowest mintage year, for the BU todate. BU authorized mintage of not more than 100,000 pcs. yearly while the Proof version had only few thousands pcs. This makes them quite costly to acquire in the open market but command a goods (collector's) value. Ummm, apologised if I am wrong. Just a thought. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteIf I am not mistaken, the 100,000 pieces limit per year applies across the board for all product type. Meaning to say the BU, one coin Proofs and 4 coins Proof sets are all considered as part of this 100,000 mintage limit.
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