What Is the Britannia Silver Coin?
The Britannia takes its name and design from the personification of Britain — a helmeted, shield-bearing figure that has appeared on British coinage for centuries. The Royal Mint introduced the gold version in 1987 and followed with the silver Britannia a decade later. Since 2013, all bullion issues have been struck in .999 fine silver, and each coin carries a £2 face value, making it legal tender in the United Kingdom.
Weight and Specifications
Our current Britannia coins are 1 oz (31.1g) of .999 fine silver, 38.61mm in diameter. This is the most widely traded and collected weight in the series, which helps keep the coins liquid if you ever choose to sell. The series is also struck in smaller fractional weights — 1/4 oz (7.78g, 22mm) and 1/10 oz (3.11g, 16.5mm), both in the same .999 fine silver — which we plan to add to this collection over time.
Design and Security
Recent Britannia issues include advanced security features such as latent imagery and surface animation, making them harder to counterfeit than older bullion coins — a detail that matters if you're holding silver for the long term. The reverse design has varied slightly from year to year, but the core Britannia image remains a constant across the series.
Why Buyers Choose the Britannia
The Britannia sits alongside coins like the Australian Silver Kangaroo and Canadian Silver Maple as one of the more widely held government-minted silver bullion coins, backed by The Royal Mint's guarantee of weight and purity, which keeps it easy to trade internationally. Its built-in security features add a further layer of confidence for buyers beyond the silver value itself. For collectors, its long, consistent design history and occasional special or anniversary editions add a numismatic dimension beyond the silver content itself.
Building Your Collection
If you're just getting started, pairing your coins with proper storage — capsules, tubes, or an album — is worth considering early rather than as an afterthought. Take a look at our coin storage accessories if you'd like to protect your Britannia coins from handling wear.
FAQ
Is VAT charged on the Britannia silver coin?
Yes. Physical silver coins are subject to standard VAT, which is 21% in the Netherlands (rates may differ if you're ordering from elsewhere in the EU).
Is the Britannia silver coin legal tender?
Yes, it carries a face value of £2 and is legal tender in the United Kingdom, though its bullion value is far higher than its face value.
Are Britannia silver coins a good investment?
They're a widely recognised, liquid way to hold physical silver, with guaranteed weight and purity backed by The Royal Mint. Like any bullion purchase, value moves with the silver price, so it should be considered alongside your own investment goals.
Do you sell other sizes or years of Britannia coins?
At the moment, our collection focuses on the 1 oz silver Britannia. We may expand into other formats in future — check back or get in touch if you're looking for something specific.
How should I store my silver Britannia coins?
A protective capsule or tube is recommended to prevent surface marks, especially if you plan to hold or resell them later.
