Throughout the ages Britannia has provided inspiration for artists and sculptors, each creating their own interpretation of the icon. She has been depicted in many forms, providing different meanings through time; from a voluptuous figure on the coins of Charles II in the seventeenth century, to ‘Queen of The Seas’ when Britain’s naval power was challenged in the eighteenth century. She often appears with carefully selected attributes, like her Corinthian helmet, shield, trident and olive branch. Each design is of its time, revealing the mood of the era and conveying the values of the nation.

For 2017 Louis Tamlyn, a fine art student at Central Saint Martins, has designed a Britannia that reflects a forward-thinking nation rooted in rich history. To mark the 30th anniversary of the gold Britannia coin, the design incorporates an anniversary trident mint mark with the number 30. Struck in 999.9 fine gold and finished to Proof standard, this limited edition set contains the Britannia 2017 Half-Ounce, Quarter-Ounce and Tenth-Ounce coins. There are just 200 sets available, with each set presented in a Royal Mint case with a booklet exploring Britannia’s fascinating story and the inspiration behind the 2017 design.