Silver Britannia Coins

Purchase Britannia Silver Coins Online at SD Bullion

Silver Britannia is one of the most recognized bullion coins from the UK. They’re produced by the Royal Mint, one of the oldest refining institutions in the world, with a history dating back to 886 AD.

While the Royal Mint is best known for striking the UK’s circulating British coins, it also crafts high-quality bullion, commemorative samples, medals, and planchets.

Gold Britannia bullion coins were first launched in 1987. Then, in 1997, to celebrate the Gold Britannia’s 10th anniversary, the British Mint introduced the Britannia Silver Coins. Since then, each new release has become a highly anticipated event among collectors and investors alike.

Design Elements and Symbolism

Obverse Design

Over the years, Britannia’s obverse has featured several effigies of the reigning monarch. The first editions displayed Queen Elizabeth II’s third official effigy, created by Raphael Maklouf, showing her wearing the Royal Diadem along with a necklace and earrings.

Later, the series was updated with Ian Rank-Broadley’s design, portraying a more mature Queen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. The final effigy, by Jody Clark, shows Her Majesty with the King George IV State Diadem and Diamond Jubilee earrings — a tribute to her historic reign.

Following the Queen’s passing in 2022, it was updated to feature His Majesty King Charles III, designed by Martin Jennings. His portrait is accompanied by a Latin inscription: “CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D,” meaning "Charles III, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith," along with the coin’s face value and year of issue.

Reverse Design — The Britannia Figure

Britannia has been part of the nation's history, representing British strength and identity for over 2,000 years. Originally appearing on Roman coins and revived during the reign of Elizabeth I, the feminine figure became a fixture on British currency, representing naval power and national pride.
For centuries, artists have reimagined her image. The current design, crafted by Philip Nathan, shows Britannia standing firm against strong winds, holding a trident and shield as she faces the sea — a powerful symbol of resilience and protection.
The coin's reverse also includes inscriptions noting her name, the coin’s weight, purity, metal content, and year of issue.

Purity

The Silver Britannia series has evolved not only in design but also in its metal content. Samples produced from 1997 to 2012 were struck with 0.958 fine silver, also known as "Britannia Silver," a higher-purity alloy traditionally used in British silverware.
Starting in 2013, the Royal Mint increased the metal content to 0.999 fine silver, making the Silver Britannia a true competitor among the world’s purest bullion coins.

Denominations and Face Value

Since the Silver Britannia series debuted in 1997, it’s been a popular choice in the bullion market. At first, the coins were issued in 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, and 1/10 oz sizes. Over time, the Royal Mint expanded the lineup, offering even more size options to meet growing demand.
Each Silver Britannia coin is considered legal tender in the United Kingdom, with its face value clearly engraved and fully backed by the UK government.

Today, Silver Britannias are available in a wide range of weights and denominations:

• 1 oz – £2

• 1/2 oz – £1

• 1/4 oz – 50p

• 1/10 oz – 20p

• 1/20 oz – 10p

• 5 oz – £10

• 10 oz – £20

• 1 kilo – £500

While their monetary denominations are mostly symbolic compared to their actual market value, they add an extra layer of authenticity and trust to each coin.

Security Features and Authenticity

In 2021, the Royal Mint introduced advanced security features to the Silver Britannia bullion coins, taking authenticity and anti-counterfeiting to a whole new level.

The reverse side of the coin now includes four key security elements:

• Latent Image: As you tilt the coin, a small image near Britannia’s feet switches between a trident and a padlock — a subtle but powerful security measure;

• Micro-Text: Around the artwork, you’ll find the Latin phrase “Decus et Tutamen” ("An ornament and a safeguard") in tiny, detailed lettering;

• Surface Animation: Move the coin, and the background waves appear to shimmer and move, giving the design a sense of life and making it harder to duplicate;

• Tincture Lines: Britannia’s shield features traditional heraldic lines that create distinct textures and depth, offering another layer of protection.

These enhancements not only make the Silver Britannia one of the most secure bullion coins in the world but also add extra beauty to its already iconic design.

Special Editions

Over the years, the Silver Britannia series has featured several rare and limited releases that have become true collectors' favorites. Here are some of the most notable editions to look out for:

• 1999 'Y2K' Privy
  In 1999, to mark the new millennium, a set of one-ounce silver coins was issued, featuring designs from Australia, the USA, England, China, and Liberia, each with a Y2K privy mark, limited to just 10,000 coins. Although the Royal Mint did not officially release the Silver Britannia in this set, it remains a highly collectible piece for those interested in millennium-themed coinage;

• 2014 Mule Error – A Collector’s Rarity
  One of the most famous errors in the series, the 2014 "Mule" features the obverse design intended for the Royal Mint’s Lunar Year of the Horse series. Due to similar specifications between the two coins, a mix-up occurred during the production process. With an estimated mintage of just 17,000 coins, the 2014 Mule Britannia is highly sought after today;

• 2017 20th Anniversary Chariot Edition
  To celebrate 20 years of the Silver Britannia, the Royal Mint issued a special coin featuring Philip Nathan’s original 1997 chariot design. This edition stands out with a unique “1997–2017” rim inscription and was produced in much smaller quantities than the standard 2017 Britannias;

• 2017 Trident Privy Mark
  Another special 2017 release features a discreet trident-shaped ‘20’ mint mark, celebrating two decades of Britannia bullion coins with a limited issue of only 120,000 coins;

• 2018–2020 Oriental Border Editions
  Running from 2018 through 2020, the Oriental Border Britannias added a beautiful touch of Eastern artistry to the classic design. Inspired by the Chinese-themed rooms in Buckingham Palace and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton;

• 2023 Coronation of King Charles III
  In 2023, the Mint honored the coronation of the rising king with a special Silver Britannia featuring the first crowned portrait of the new monarch. Limited to just 200,000 pieces, this release captures a historic transition and is expected to become a cornerstone of modern British coinage.

The Newby: 2024 - Britannia and Liberty Series

In a historic collaboration, U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna and Royal Mint Chief Engraver Gordon Summers have joined forces to create the 2024 Britannia and Liberty Coin.
This one-ounce, 99.9% fine silver coin unites two iconic patriotic figures: Liberty from the United States and Britannia from the United Kingdom. Liberty, the feminine guise of freedom, has appeared on U.S. coinage since its early days, while Britannia has represented Britain since the 1600s, representing strength and national pride.
Struck in a limited mintage of 250,000 pieces, the reverse design features both figures in right-profile close-ups. Britannia wears a Corinthian helmet and carries a trident, while Liberty holds a torch with flowing hair adorned with stars.

Buy Silver Britannia Coins from SD Bullion

Expand your Silver Britannia collection today with our carefully curated selection from various years. Ideal for investors seeking to add both high-quality precious metals and stunning designs to their silver bullion coins portfolio.

FAQs

What makes the Britannia Silver Coins different from other silver coins like the Eagle or Maple Leaf?

The Silver Britannia stands out due to its unique design, advanced security features, and strong market presence. With its iconic imagery, high purity, and wide availability, it is a popular choice. Although it shares the same 99.9% fine content and legal tender status as coins like the Eagle and Maple Leaf, its distinct elements give it a unique edge in the silver bullion market.

Do Silver Britannia coins change design each year?

The Silver Britannia coins featured different depictions of Britannia until 2012, with new designs introduced in odd-numbered years. Since 2012, the reverse design has remained consistent, created by Philip Nathan. The obverse has changed over time to reflect updates to the official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. In 2023, following her passing, it was updated to feature King Charles III.

Are all Silver Britannia bullion coins .999 silver?

Silver Britannia coins produced from 1997 to 2012 were made with .958 silver (95.8% fine). Since 2013, however, the coins have been struck with .999 fineness, meaning they contain 99.9% pure silver. This shift in purity makes the more recent Silver Britannia coins some of the purest silver bullion coins available.

Why are Britannias considered one of the most secure silver bullion coins in the world?

Britannia coins are among the most secure bullion coins due to their advanced security features, such as micro-engraving and picosecond lasers. These techniques create unique visual and tactile elements that are hard to replicate. Combined with their high purity (99.9% silver) and the Royal Mint’s reputation for quality, these features make the Britannia highly secure and resistant to counterfeiting, adding to its value and trustworthiness.

Are Silver Britannias a good option for a silver IRA?

Silver Britannia coins crafted from 2013 onwards, with a purity of 99.9% silver, are eligible for inclusion in a Silver IRA. These coins meet the requirements for IRA-approved precious metals, making them a solid choice for investors looking to add high-quality precious metals to their retirement portfolio. However, earlier Britannias, with a lower silver purity, are not eligible for Silver IRAs.

Are Silver Britannias legal tender?

Silver Britannia coins are legal tender in the UK, as they are produced by The Royal Mint. Each coin has a designated face value, such as £2 for the 1oz Silver Britannia. While the imprinted denomination is symbolic and far lower than the actual silver spot price, it confirms the coins' legal status as currency in the UK.

Can I sell my Silver Britannia coins back to SD Bullion?

Yes. SD Bullion offers a buyback service with three easy-to-follow steps. Our team is constantly buying bullion to update our inventory. You can reach out to our representatives at 1-800-294-8732.