Britannia Investment Coins
Britanniagold investment coins, minted by The Royal Mint since 1987, are among the most sought-after investment and collectible coins in the world. They derive their name from Britannia, the millennial symbol of the feminine embodiment of the British Isles, which has a firm place on the coins. In addition to the 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz gold coins, the Royal British Mint has also minted silver coins since 1997 and platinum investment coins since 2018.
In 2021, the Royal British Mint addedadditional security features to increase security against counterfeiting . The guilloche rays on the background were replaced by an elaborate wave pattern. Picosecond laser technology creates the illusion of movement when the coin is filmed. The laser-etched micro-text inscription DECUS ET TUTAMEN is repeated on the border defining the transition between the main Britannie motif and the rim. In the lower left part, an inner circle hides a latent security motif (trident/ padlock). The shield of Britannie is filled with fine lines.
Another milestone in the history of Britannia investment coins was the year 2022. The death of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the accession to the throne of Charles III started the preparation of the coin's portrait of the new monarch on the obverse. Adherence to pre-determined steps in the process of changing the portrait led to the minting of two types. The Britannia investment coins, with an issue year of 2023, were struck with the portrait of the late Elizabeth II and King Charles III.
The reverse side represents the female personification of Britain. It depicts the warrior goddess in flowing robes and Corinthian helmet atop a cliff to embody the nation's unwavering pride. The trident in her right hand symbolizes naval history. With her other hand she holds an olive branch as a symbol of peace and a shield for protection. Since its launch, the unified basis of Britannia coins has been the dulcimer flanking the circle as a symbol of the country's unity. The rim of the coin bears the inscription 'BRITANNIA', the year of issue and details of the purity and weight of the metal.
The face of the coin bears the likeness of the monarch. Until 2023 it is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the initials of the author, the description states "ELIZABETH - II - D - G", "REG - FID - DEF" and the face value. The author of the coin portrait until 2015 is Ian Rank-Brodley, who was succeeded by Jody Clark with the fifth and definitive portrait of the Queen.
At the same time, from 2023, it is the site of the first portrait of Charles III designed by Martin Jennings. According to tradition, she is looking the opposite way to Elizabeth II in her coin portraits. The description of the coin states "CHARLES III - D - G - REX - F - D" and the face value.
