Recognised and trusted around the world, Britannia is the iconic female personification of Britain, embodying strength, stability and a proud history.
In 1987, the symbolic figure was the natural choice for a new gold bullion coin and since then, the coin’s reputation has only grown. In 1997, it was followed by a silver edition of the coin, whilst a platinum edition was released a decade later in 2007.
In 2027, we proudly celebrate 40 years of this iconic gold coin, whilst also marking 30 years of its silver counterpart. Read on to discover the story of our Britannia bullion coin and how we’re celebrating the coin’s legacy in 2027.
First appearing in AD 119 on the coins of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, Britannia has been a continuous presence on British coins since the reign of Charles II. Since 1672, the icon has graced the coinage of every British monarch. Constantly reimagined and reinterpreted for each new generation, Britannia became the face of modern bullion in 1987.
Marking the first significant development in the United Kingdom’s gold coinage for over 150 years, the issue of our first Britannia bullion coin in October 1987 was inspired by the huge success of the South African Krugerrand and the developing gold bullion market around the world.
“Following our conversation yesterday, the Chancellor’s Office have confirmed that The Queen has approved the design of the Britannia series of coins sent to her on 28 May.”
G. M. Noble, HM Treasury, 30 June 1987
Philip Nathan’s award-winning reverse design took the often-seated figure of Britannia and depicted her standing, epitomising the UK’s bold aspirations and identity. The obverse featured a coinage portrait of Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf.
Channelling the UK’s ‘Cool Britannia’ swagger of the 1990s, leading the way in music, art and fashion, Philip Nathan’s updated design for the 1997 launch of a silver bullion coin depicted the warrior Boudicca, commonly known as Boadicea, driving a chariot with two horses. The silver bullion coin adopted the standing Britannia design used on gold coins from 1998 onwards.
Since then, the coin has continued to evolve, with four state-of-the-art security features added in 2021. This has not only made the coin very difficult to replicate or counterfeit, but it has also strengthened its position as the most visually secure bullion coin in the world.
“Gold is money, and in the long-run, the best money that money can buy.” Robert Weinberg, Financial Times, 23 May 1987
Robert Weinberg, Financial Times, 23 May 1987
Since the dawn of history, gold has occupied an enduring and special place in human society, whether it is used for marking special occasions, for ritual or aesthetic needs or as an investment.
We now build upon the legacy of an icon and celebrate Britannia with special anniversary editions. For 2027, the coins have been updated to feature new one-off wave privy marks denoting a ‘40’ and ‘30’ respectively, as well as numbered background textures. Each Britannia 2027 gold bullion coin is also offered in a specially designed anniversary sleeve, available exclusively at royalmint.com.
