2023 NGC MS-70 First Releases 1/2 oz Britannia Gold Coin - King Charles III Obverse and Special Label

2023 NGC MS-70 First Releases 1/2 oz Britannia Gold Coin - King Charles III Obverse and Special Label

The Royal Mint welcomed King Charles III's rise to the British throne by releasing its most famous coin series, Britannia, with a new obverse design.

The new obverse portraying King Charles III is stamped in all coins from the Gold Britannia Series, including its fractional 1/2 oz gold coin, which holds a £50 denomination and legal tender status.

These 2023 1/2 oz Gold Britannias, in particular, are among those purchased from the Royal Mint within the first 30 days of their official release and submitted to NGC appraisal. They were graded as MS-70 and sealed by NGC Special King Charles III Label.

Coin Highlights

• Evaluated, encapsulated, and graded as MS-70 by NGC;
• Sealed with Special King Charles III’s Label;
• Bullion Coin;
• Contains 1/2 oz of .9999 pure gold;
• Produced by the Royal Mint;
• Among those taken from the first 30 days of public availability
• Holds a £50 denomination, backed by the UK;
• Type 2 of 2023 Gold Britannia coin;
• The new obverse design features King Charles III;
• The reverse maintains Britannia’s depiction with unique security features. 

The Design

The reverse features Britannia, a national feminine guise whose use in the national coinage dates back to 1672. The current artistry, designed by artist Philip Nathan in 1987, illustrates Britannia as a warrior, wearing a helmet, carrying her trident and the Union Jack Shield against the sea and the wind.

The inscriptions surrounding the image read “‘BRITANNIA’ 2023’ 1/2 oz’ 999.9’ FINE’ GOLD,’” referring to the series name, issuance, weight, purity, and metal content. 

It also displays the Royal Mint’s exclusive security features. Britannia’s trident turns to a padlock on the lower left as you change the angle of view; the waves imprinted in the background gain movement as you move the coin. And finally, the micro-text engravings around the image - “DECUS ET TUTAMEN” means an ornament and a safeguard.

The new obverse, designed by Martin Jennings, depicts King Charles III and includes his name, “CHARLES III,” and the coin’s face value of “50 POUNDS.” The letters engraved “D.G.REX.F.D” mean “By the grace of God, King” in Latin.

An NGC MS-70 First Releases Coin

NGC - Numismatic Guaranty Company appraises and grades coins using the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70, apart from sovereign mints.

NGC considers a “First Release” coin to be one purchased from the Royal Mint during the first 30 days of public availability.

MS abbreviates for Mint State and refers to coins crafted in the same format as a circulation coin that has never circulated. 70 is the highest grade, awarded to coins that do not present visible flaws.

Buy 2023 NGC MS-70 First Releases 1/2 oz Britannia Gold Coin - King Charles III Obverse and Special Label at SD Bullion

Own a piece of British legacy.

Purchase the 2023 NGC MS-70 First Releases 1/2 oz Britannia Gold Coin - King Charles III Obverse and Special Label online, 24/7, from SD Bullion.

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