- Royal Mint: British minting craft
- Proud Design: with helmet and trident
- Fineness 999: Brilliant Uncirculated in capsule
- Royal MintStruck by the world-famous British Royal Mint
- Proud DesignDesigned by Philip Nathan, with waves and Union Jack
- Fineness 999Purity of 999/1,000, delivered in protective capsule
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The Royal Mint
Britannia in the wind,on a quarter of an ounce of silver.
You are looking at the side with Britannia.
Philip Nathan’s Britannia
The sculptor created her in 1987 for a new bullion coin from The Royal Mint.
She wears a Corinthian helmet with a high crest, while her hair and robes flow to the left.
The trident
She holds it with her arm outstretched. It stands for her connection with the sea.
The shield
It bears the Union Flag and stands for protection.
The olive branch
She holds it above the shield. It stands for peace.
Meaning as given by The Royal Mint, details from a product photo.
The ounce and its fractions
1oz
38.61 mm
2 pounds
1/4oz
22 mm
50 pence
1/10oz
16.5 mm
20 pence
From Hadrian to Charles III
around119
On Roman coins
Under Emperor Hadrian, Britannia appears on a coin for the first time: a woman on rocks, with a spear and a shield, and below her the word BRITANNIA.
1672
Back on English coins
She returns on England’s first official copper coins, the halfpenny and the farthing, under Charles II. Tradition has it that Frances Stuart, a lady of the court, sat as her model.
1997
The Britannia in silver
Ten years after the gold Britannia comes the silver one, with 958 parts per thousand of silver until 2012. As early as 1697, England had prescribed exactly this fineness for silverware, which was hallmarked with a seated Britannia.
2013
In fine silver
Since then, the silver Britannia has been struck in fine silver.
2023
The King’s portrait
According to The Royal Mint, the 2023 Britannia is the world’s first bullion coin to bear the official portrait of King Charles III. The sculptor Martin Jennings called it his smallest work.
The Royal Mint in Wales
Since 1975, The Royal Mint has struck coins only in Llantrisant in South Wales. Queen Elizabeth II had opened the first phase of the site on 17 December 1968.
By its own account, it looks back on a history of more than 1,100 years.
1282 Trial of the Pyx
Since at least 1282, the coins of The Royal Mint have been tested independently. Today a jury at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London checks that weight and fineness are correct, according to The Royal Mint for the Britannia as well.
“Steadfast in the eye of the storm.”
This is how The Royal Mint describes its Britannia.
In fine silver.
- fineness 999
- 22 mm
- face value 50 pence
Fineness, diameter and face value per coin as stated by The Royal Mint.
1/4 oz Silver Britannia – British Elegance in a Compact Denomination
- Investment objective: Bullion coin with inflation hedge and wealth preservation – 1/4 oz as a handy crisis protection
- Design: Lady Britannia – armed with a Corinthian helmet, protective shield and trident, the proud personification of the British people
- Material & Fineness: 7.78 g of purest silver at a fineness of 999/1,000 – the highest purity for your investment
- Manufacturer: Struck by the world-famous The British Royal Mint
- Country of origin: Great Britain
There are coins you buy. And there are coins you want to own. The 1/4 oz Silver Britannia unquestionably belongs to the second category. For decades, the Britannia series has been among the most sought-after bullion coins in the world – and for good reason. Here, British minting artistry at the highest level, an iconic design and the timeless value stability of silver combine to create a product that makes collectors' hearts beat faster while also convincing savvy investors.
The Design: Two Sides Full of History
The obverse of this coin depicts Lady Britannia in all her majestic splendour. Equipped with her characteristic Corinthian helmet, an intricately decorated shield – on which the Union Jack is clearly visible – and her mighty trident, she strides forward with determination. In the background, the finest wave patterns can be seen, evoking Great Britain's maritime tradition. The inscriptions "BRITANNIA", the year of issue and "1/4 OZ 999 FINE SILVER" frame the design. At the bottom right is the artist's signature "NATHAN".
The reverse features the portrait of King Charles III in profile, facing left. The inscription "CHARLES III · D · G · REX · F · D · 50 PENCE" lends the coin its official status as legal tender of the United Kingdom. A fine guilloche pattern in the background underscores the Royal Mint's craftsmanship perfection.
The Britannia is more than a coin – it is a piece of British identity, cast in the finest silver.
Why the 1/4 oz in Particular?
Not everyone wants to purchase a full ounce straight away. Sometimes it is the smaller denomination that offers the decisive advantage. The 1/4 oz Britannia is an excellent entry point into the world of silver coins or as a targeted addition to an existing precious metals portfolio. Particularly in times of economic uncertainty, silver in smaller units can serve as a flexible medium of exchange – an aspect that experienced investors should not underestimate.
The Advantages at a Glance
- Highest fineness: At 999/1,000, this coin offers silver in its purest commercially available form
- Tax advantage: Profits from the sale are generally tax-free after a holding period of at least one year
- Legal tender: The face value of 50 pence guarantees official government recognition
- Safe storage: Each coin is delivered in a protective coin capsule – Brilliant Uncirculated and flawless
- High liquidity: The Britannia is recognised worldwide and can be traded at any time without difficulty
Silver – the Underestimated Precious Metal
While gold often takes centre stage, silver works quietly and steadily in the background. Yet that is precisely what makes it so interesting. Industrial demand – from solar technology and electronics to medical technology – is growing steadily. At the same time, supply is limited. This combination of rising demand and limited availability speaks a clear language.
Silver has served as a currency, store of value and medium of trade for thousands of years. Diverse cultures and civilisations have prized it as a symbol of wealth. And unlike paper money, silver possesses an intrinsic value that does not depend on political decisions or trust in governments. It is durable, retains its physical properties over time and can be passed down from generation to generation as a tangible asset.
Who Is This Coin For?
Whether you are just beginning to explore precious metals or looking to deliberately expand your collection with a compact British bullion coin – the 1/4 oz Silver Britannia fits the bill. It is affordable enough for regular purchases, prestigious enough for the discerning collector and flexible enough as a building block of a well-considered retirement plan.
The combination of the Royal Mint's tradition, the globally recognised Britannia design and the proven purity of 999 silver makes this coin a timeless classic in the precious metals market. Secure a piece of British minting history – in your hands, for your future.
Product depiction may differ from the final product.
