Rare set of silver investment coins Britannia issue year 2023

Britannia 2023 - Queen Elizabeth II. / King Charles III.

A rare set of two silver investment coins with the issue year 2023, minted by the British Mint The Royal Mint, consists of 2 x 1 Oz coins in the purest 99.9% silver purity. The obverses of these coins bear the last mint portrait of Elizabeth II and the first mint portrait of Charles III struck with the 2023 mintage. The exchange of sovereign portraits on Britannia coins, as the flagship investment products of the UK, thus marks a unique historical event.

The motif on the reverse of the coins represents the female personification of the British Isles. The now-classic design by sculptor Philip Nathan first appeared on the coins of the same name in 1987. It depicts a warrior goddess in flowing robes and a 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. The rim of the coin bears the inscription "BRITANNIA", the year of issue and the purity and weight of the metal. The design also includes the name of the designer "NATHAN". Since its launch, the Britannia coins have had a unified base with a dulcimer flanking the rim as a symbol of the country's unity.
The wave pattern on the background, created by picosecond laser technology, creates the illusion of movement when the coin is spun. The laser-etched micro-text inscription "DECUS ET TUTAMEN" (translated as adornment and protection) is repeated on the rim, marking the transition between the main Britannia motif and the rim. In the lower left is an inner circle concealing a latent security motif (trident/lock). The shield of Britannie is filled with fine lines with the Union Jack flag motif.
These state-of-the-art anti-counterfeiting security features, which can be achieved on investment coins today, make the Britannia the most visually secure coin in the world.
The allegorical figure of Britannia as the female embodiment of the island country first appeared in the 2nd century on coins of the then province of the Roman Empire. The motif of the same warrior woman returned to British coins in 1797 during the reign of George III, and the tradition continued in the centuries that followed. Since then, coins with different images of the female figure of Britain have been struck during the reigns of each successive ruler. 1987 marked another chapter in the modern history of coinage. The Royal Mint began minting investment coins bearing the likeness and name Britannia. This was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and each of the millions of coins struck carried the Queen's portrait on the obverse for 35 years. With the death of the monarch in 2022 and the accession of Charles III to the throne, a unique event in the history of Britannia coins occurred. Coins with the issue year 2023 were struck first with the portrait of Elizabeth II and then Charles III. It could be said that a remarkable rarity has been created that will catch the attention of many numismatic collectors.

The obverses of the coins bear the likenesses of the monarchs of Great Britain. The first coin depicts the fifth and final portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the initials of artist Jody Clarke, which began appearing on British coins in 2015. The description states "ELIZABETH - II - D - G", "REG - FID - DEF" and the denomination. The second coin shows the first official coin portrait of Charles III, designed by Martin Jennings. According to tradition, the King is looking the other way from Elizabeth II in his coin portraits. The description of the coin states "CHARLES III - D - G - REX - F - D" and the face value.

The pair of coins are protected by plastic capsules which are housed in a presentable box.

This product is part of the following product sets: