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  • The Royal Mint has today unveiled its 2023 Britannia commemorative collection – the first to bear His Majesty King Charles III’s official portrait.
  • This year’s Britannia coin has been designed by Jonathan Olliffe and is inspired by Britannia’s maritime origins.
  • The 2023 Britannia coin will be available to buy in collectable sets as well as individually in a range of precious metals.

The Royal Mint, official maker of UK coins, has today launched its annual Britannia coin collection. This is the first opportunity for collectors to own a commemorative Britannia coin bearing His Majesty King Charles III’s official portrait.

This year’s Britannia coin design has been created by Jonathan Olliffe, who previously designed the Gymnastics 50p coin for the 2012 London Olympics. Jonathan’s depiction of Britannia is inspired by her maritime origins. The design features Britannia riding a chariot through the waves, drawn by mighty sea creatures, to symbolise her protecting the nation and its shores. This year’s design is more reminiscent of historic seals and medals, particularly those from the eighteenth-century iconic designs.

The design includes many of the familiar symbols that are associated with Britannia. In this year’s design, Britannia can be seen wearing a Corinthian helmet as well as carrying a trident and a shield decorated with the Union Flag. On closer inspection, a face of a lion can also be seen at the front of the chariot, with the chariot being pulled through the waves by horses that bear the characteristics of aquatic creatures like seahorses, with scales on their bodies and fins in place of manes and hooves.

Jonathan Olliffe, designer of the 2023 Britannia coin design said, “It was my aim to create something authentic and truly original, whilst maintaining a classic style. Philip Nathan’s 1997 Britannia coin design depicts a horse and chariot. I liked the concept of featuring a chariot within the design but in a less predictable way, and I mixed the horse form with a seahorse, and it worked! The serpent fin or tail at the back added an element of the mystical to it. I looked at classical paintings and the anatomy of horses, and sea life imagery.

“These mystical aquatic creatures with suggestions of horse-like anatomy feature heavily in the foreground of the design and maintain a strong and empowering presence as they rise from the ocean waves, adding a sense of depth and structure to the design.”

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services said, “Britannia has a long and enduring history on UK coins and is instantly recognisable among collectors across the world. From her first appearance on Roman coins through to featuring on every coin bearing a British Monarch since the reign of Charles II. The 2023 commemorative Britannia coin celebrates a true icon who’s evolved through the ages on coins produced by The Royal Mint, with this year’s design highlighting her maritime origins and connection.

“We anticipate the 2023 Britannia commemorative coin to be extremely popular among collectors, with it being the first edition in the range to bear His Majesty King Charles III’s official portrait.”

The figure of Britannia first appeared on Roman coins but disappeared with the end of the Roman Empire. Britannia re-emerged in the Elizabethan era but only returned to coins in 1672 during the reign of Charles II. From that time to the present day, she has featured on the coins of every British monarch.

The Britannia 2023 collection is available on a range of precious metal individually and as part of sets. To purchase the 2023 Britannia coin, visit The Royal Mint’s website.

 

ENDS

 

The 2023 Britannia Collection Specifications

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Gold Proof Range

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Two-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

Denomination

£500

£200

£25

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

UK

Alloy

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

Weight

156.30g

62.42g

7.80g

Diameter

50.00mm

40.00mm

22.00mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Limited Edition Presentation

65

125

970

RRP

£12,500.00

£5,215.00

£725.00

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Premium Six-Coin Gold Proof Set

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK One-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Half-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Tenth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Twentieth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Fortieth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

Denomination

£100

£50

£25

£10

£1

50p

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

Alloy

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

Weight

31.21g

15.60g

7.80g

3.13g

1.58g

0.8g

Diameter

32.69mm

27.00mm

22.00mm

16.50mm

12.00mm

8.00mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Limited Edition Presentation

175

RRP

£5,035.00

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Premium Three-Coin Gold Proof Set

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK Half-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Tenth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

Denomination

£50

£25

£10

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

UK

Alloy

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

Weight

15.60g

7.80g

3.13g

Diameter

27.00mm

22.00mm

16.50mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Limited Edition Presentation

150

RRP

£2,230.00

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Fractional Gold Reverse Frosted Set

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK Fortieth-Ounce Gold Proof Frosted Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Twentieth-Ounce Gold Proof Frosted Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Frosted Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK One-Ounce Gold Proof Frosted Coin

Denomination

50p

£1

£25

£100

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

UK

UK

Alloy

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

999.9 Au Fine Gold

Weight

0.8g

1.58g

7.80g

31.21g

Diameter

8.00mm

12.00mm

22.00mm

32.69mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Proof

Proof

Proof

Special Features

Reverse Frosted

Reverse Frosted

Reverse Frosted

Reverse Frosted

Limited Edition Presentation

50

RRP

£3,340.00

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Silver Range

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK Five-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Two Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin

Denomination

£10

£5

£2

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

UK

Alloy

999 Ag Fine Silver

999 Ag Fine Silver

999 Ag Fine Silver

Weight

156.30g

62.86g

31.21g

Diameter

65.00mm

40.00mm

38.61mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Proof

Proof

Limited Edition Presentation

420

1,000

3,450

RRP

£480.00

£190.00

£99.50

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Premium Six-Coin Silver Proof Set

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK One-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Half-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Quarter-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Tenth-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Twentieth-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Fortieth-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

Denomination

£2

£1

50p

20p

10p

5p

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

UK

Alloy

999 Ag

999 Ag

999 Ag

999 Ag

999 Ag

999 Ag

Weight

31.21g

15.71g

7.86g

3.15g

1.58g

0.8g

Diameter

38.61mm

27.00mm

22.00mm

16.50mm

12.00mm

8.00mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Limited Edition Presentation

950

RRP

£245.00

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Two-Coin Silver Proof Set

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK One-Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK One-Ounce Frosted Silver Proof Coin

Denomination

£2

£2

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

Alloy

999 Ag

999 Ag

Weight

31.21g

31.21g

Diameter

38.61mm

38.61mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Limited Edition Presentation

520

RRP

£195.00

 

 

The Britannia 2023 UK Fractional Silver Reverse Frosted Set

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK Fortieth-Ounce Silver Proof Frosted Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Twentieth-Ounce Silver Proof Frosted Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK Quarter-Ounce Silver Proof Frosted Coin

The Britannia 2023 UK One-Ounce Silver Proof Frosted Coin

Denomination

5p

10p

50p

£2

Issuing Authority

UK

UK

UK

UK

Alloy

999 Ag

999 Ag

999 Ag

999 Ag

Weight

0.8g

1.58g

7.86g

31.21g

Diameter

8.00mm

12.00mm

22.00mm

38.61mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Proof

Proof

Proof

Special Features

Reverse Frosted

Reverse Frosted

Reverse Frosted

Reverse Frosted

Limited Edition Presentation

350

RRP

£165.00

 

 

Coin title

The Britannia 2023 UK 1/4oz Platinum Proof Coin

Denomination

£25

Issuing Authority

UK

Alloy

999.5 Pt

Weight

7.85g

Diameter

20.00mm

Obverse Designer

Martin Jennings

Reverse Designer

Jonathan Olliffe

Quality

Proof

Limited Edition Presentation

200

RRP

£580.00

 

About The Royal Mint

With a history spanning more than 1,100 years, The Royal Mint is Britain’s oldest companies and the original maker of UK coins.  Today The Royal Mint is a premium British maker, providing carefully crafted coins and precious metal products for the UK and overseas.  Based in Llantrisant, South Wales it has three main focuses as a business: Currency, Consumer (collectable and rare, historic coins) and precious metals investment.

Collecting with The Royal Mint:

Every coin tells a story, from a rare gold Sovereign to a Peter Rabbit™ 50p coin. The Royal Mint aims to inspire collectors young and old, and nurture a love of collecting through unique designs and popular themes. As the maker of UK coinage, we have unparalleled knowledge about coins, from the historic coins of our past, through to the collectable commemorative coins of today.  Sourcing and authenticating pre decimal coins is a natural fit for The Royal Mint as we struck each one.

Investing with The Royal Mint:

As a world authority on precious metals, The Royal Mint has traded and made products in gold and silver for centuries. Since launching its designated precious metals investment arm six years ago, The Royal Mint has grown rapidly to become the home of gold in the UK – increasing its market share and becoming the largest producer of bullion coins in Britain. As well as offering physical precious metal investment options in the form of bars and coins, The Royal Mint also offers a range of digital investment options including DigiGold, Little Treasures, designed for children, and Gold for Pensions

Celebrating with The Royal Mint:

For over a thousand years The Royal Mint has marked the moments that changed the world on coins - from coronations to conflict, from commemorations to celebrations. The designs are captured on commemorative coins, minted in a range of metals.  Commemorative coins do not always enter circulation but give collectors the chance to purchase coins to keep and cherish.  Recent themes have included David Bowie, Winnie the Pooh, Decimalisation and Team GB. Each commemorative coin is carefully struck up to three times in order to create a superbly detailed finish, and ensuring each one meets the standards The Royal Mint is famous for. 

The Royal Mint Experience

The Royal Mint opened its popular visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, at its home in Llantrisant, South Wales in 2016. Since opening the award-winning attraction has welcomed around 400,000 visitors through its doors and is the place to explore the 1,100-year history of coins.

Images

The Royal Mint retains copyright ownership © of all images. These may only be used for editorial purposes and cannot be sold or used for other marketing purposes without the permission of The Royal Mint.

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