Britannia King Charles 1oz Gold Coin 2023
The word ‘Britannia’ comes from ‘Pretannia’ which was used by the ancient Greeks to describe people living in Britain. She is usually shown as a beautiful young warrior wearing a Corinthian helmet. She carries a trident and a shield displaying the Union flag, these additions came about during the Victorian era and the expansion of the British Empire. It was the Romans who first personified her as a goddess, and she bears a resemblance to the Roman goddess Minerva.
The British farthing was the first coin since Roman times to feature Britannia and was introduced during the reign of King Charles II (r. 1660-1685), it was struck in copper by The Royal Mint in London in 1672.
The latest design on the obverse of the Britannia bullion coin was created by sculptor Philip Nathan in 1987 for The Royal Mint. His striking design includes the original symbolism selected to identify with the values of Britain. The shield is for protection, an olive branch represents peace, and the trident is a link to her maritime history. Although the image of Britannia has been around for hundreds of years, The Royal Mint in Wales is the only facility permitted to strike Philip Nathan’s elegant masterpiece.
The reverse of the coin was designed by Martin Jennings with the 2023 coin featuring a portrait of King Charles III, the first image of His Majesty to be depicted on a coin.
The security features of the Britannia bullion coin are second to none and four visual design details ensure it is easily recognisable and therefore offer greater protection from counterfeiting, making it an ideal investment coin. The first feature is a latent image that shows the trident from one view and a padlock when the coin is tilted. The background of the coin also includes a clever animated feature of waves moving as the coin is moved. Micro-text of the Latin phrase ‘DECUS ET TUTAMEN’ which translates as ‘An ornament and a safeguard’ is another feature together with detailed tincture lines on the Union flag displayed on her shield.
The one-ounce gold coin is made of 999.9 fine gold with a diameter of 32.69mm and a metric weight of 31.103g. It has a denomination of £100.
The Britannia Bullion Range includes gold coins in weights of 1oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz and 1/10 oz with the silver coins available in 1kg and 1oz. There are also platinum coins in 1oz and 1/10oz.
| Metal | Gold |
| Form | Gold Coin |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | The Royal British Mint |
| Series | Britannia |
| Purity | 999.9/1000 |
| Fineweight | 31.10 gram |
| Gross Weight | 31.10 gram |
| Denomination (oz) | 1 oz |
| Year of issue | 2023 |
| Grade | Brilliant |
| Condition | Uncirculated |
| Face value | 100 Pounds |
| Diameter | 32.69 mm |
| Packaging | Single in Pouch |
| Packaging Unit | 10 per tube |
| Large Packaging 2 | 100 per Box |