Britannia Coin Designs
Synopsis
The Britannia Coin Designs - Here are a selection of designs which have featured on the Britannia coins, both uncirculated bullion coins and the proof collector coins.
The Charioteer
The 1997 issue of Britannias was marked by a change to a figure of Britannia standing whilst driving a two horse chariot in the manner of Boudicca (Boadicea) by Philip Nathan. This engraving was re-used on the 1999 and the 2009 silver and gold coins.
'Una & The Lion' Britannia
In the style of Queen Victoria's Una & The Lion, the 2001 Britannia coins show Britannia standing facing left with her back to the viewer holding her trident and shield with a lion at her side by Philip Nathan.
The Britannia Helmet
In 2003, a new modernised engraving shows a close up helmeted head of Britannia with superimposed tessellated waves by Philip Nathan.
The Seated Britannia
Philip Nathan designed the 2005 left facing seated Britannia wearing a helmet and a gown which has an ornately embroidered hem. The engraving features a large olive branch to the left of the design.
The Wreath Britannia
In 2007, this seated Britannia engraving by Christopher Le Brun shows Britannia facing right holding an olive branch in her left hand and her trident in her right whilst resting against a tree.The watchful lion lies at her feet. A wreath encompasses half the design.
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The Seaside Britannia
The 2008 Britannia was designed by engraver John Bergdahl. The left facing Britannia stands holding the trident in her right hand with the large shield held in front of her. The hem of her dress has been transformed into waves.
2008 Britannia 1oz Silver Uncirculated Coin - The Seaside Britannia
The Profile Britannia
The 2010 Profile Britannia engraving by Suzie Zamit is reminiscent of the head of Marianne as Ceres on the early twentieth French 20 Franc gold coins. Facing right, Britannia looks rather more gaunt than on previous reverses.
The Union Jack Britannia
David Mach designed this stylish right facing, seated Britannia against a rippling Union Jack flag for the 2011 Britannia.
2011 Britannia 1oz Silver Uncirculated Coin - The Union Jack Britannia
Britannia and the Owl
Only available in proof finishes, the 2013 Britannia engraving by Robert Hunt features a seated Britannia looking to the right. The stylish rendition has an ancient Greek feel which is further endorsed by the addition of the owl. The owl symbolises wisdom, status and wealth.
The 2013 Britannia gold proof set contains 5 coins with the inclusion of a twentieth of an ounce £1 coin for the first time.
The Globe Britannia
Jody Clark's engraving for the 2014 proof Britannia range is a rather more glamourous design than any of the Britannia designs so far. This left facing Britannia is portrayed in a highly stylised pose with the trident in her left hand, the lion laid down at her feet against a backdrop of the globe. The uncirculated bullion coin features the classic standing Britannia.
2016 Britannia 1oz Silver Proof Coin - The Globe Britannia
The Lighthouse Britannia
Antony Dufort's engraving for the 2015 Britannia proof coins display a left facing bust of Britannia wearing a plumed helmet holding the trident against her shoulder and the shield aloft. In the background stands a lighthouse in the distance and a sailing ship. Describing it as the Lighthouse Britannia might be a touch too much artistic licence, let us know if you have another suggestion.
2015 Britannia 1oz Silver Proof Coin - The Lighthouse Britannia
The Warrior Britannia
Suzie Zamit's 2016 Britannia engraving for the proof series features a right facing standing Britannia holding the trident in her left hand and resting the shield against her right side. The lion is lying at her far side. There is a considerable amount of detail in this design with an ornate helmet and many pleats and drapes in her gown.
2016 Britannia 1oz Silver Proof Coin - The Warrior Britannia
2017 Britannia - The 30th Anniversary Proof Design
The design for the 2017 Britannia Proof Coins by British artist, Louis Tamlyn has caused a great deal of debate. The artist has cleverly combined the figure of Britannia with the outline of Great Britain. The design encroaches into the inscription band as does the Union Jack background. The 30th anniversary trident privy mark and the artist's initials LWT are positioned to the right.
2017 - Bullion 30th Anniversary Design
In 2017, in addition to the uncirculated bullion coin, The Royal Mint issued an additional bullion coin featuring a trident privy mark on the reverse and a new guilloche design on the obverse. Even though it is only the silver Britannia that celebrates its 30th anniversary, both the gold and silver coins feature the same trident privy mark.
The guilloche is an ornamental feature used in the background behind the standing Britannia. It adds an extra layer of security against counterfeit coins.
2017 Britannia 1oz Uncirculated Gold Coin - 30th Anniversary Privy Mark
Typically the bullion Britannia coins are issued to an unlimited mintage, however, the 2017 30th Anniversary bullion coins were issued to limited mintages of 7,030 for the one ounce gold coin and 120,000 for the one ounce silver coin.
Brittanias (and other misspellings!)
We've talked about spelling mistakes on Britannias before, but just for fun, we thought we would start a list of some of the most common mistaikes (sic) we've seen.
- Brittania (certainly the most common)
- Britainnia
- Brittainia
Let us know if there are any you think we've missed.
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