Information about Gold Britannia 1 oz - 2023 (King Charles)
The Gold Britannia is a British gold coin that has been minted by The Royal Mint since 1987 and was the first European gold investment coin at the time. The face value of the Britannia gold coin is in British pounds. In Great Britain it is the official means of payment. Since 1987 the gold coin has been available in sizes 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce and 1 ounce. The fine gold content of the Gold Britannia has been 999.9 since 2013. Before that it was stated as 916.7 - that corresponds to 22 carats. Until 1989 one twelfth copper was used as an alloy, which gave the coin a reddish hue. After that copper and silver were used in the same proportions. Since 1997 a silver coin has also been issued alongside the Britannia gold coin . With the 2021 mintage, the classic design of the Britannia gold coin by Philip Nathan was complemented by new design elements and security features called "Bullion Security".
The Royal Mint is the first mint in the world to introduce the official portrait of King Charles III , which will appear on Britannia bullion coins from 2023.
The design of the gold coin
The motif side of the Britannia gold coin shows the Roman deity and personification of the country "Britannia" as a standing figure with a helmet, shield and trident. This motif remained unchanged until the turn of the millennium. Since 2001, the motif of the Gold Britannia has changed in odd-numbered years and remains the same in even-numbered years. In the last issue, some changes were made which further enhance the motif of the coin. The background of the motif side is refined with a wave shape. A special embossing technique makes it look as if the waves are moving when the viewing angle changes. In addition, the motif has been supplemented with a security feature which shows a lock as a symbol of security when viewed from a 90-degree angle. If the viewer's viewing angle changes, the lock becomes a trident, one of the defining symbols of the Britannia coin. The new edition of the motif side is rounded off by the Latin lettering "DECUS ET TUTAMEN" for "glory and defense".
The obverse of the gold coin features the first coin portrait of King Charles III, who has reigned since 2022. The King's effigy was created by the renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings and approved by His Majesty personally. Following tradition, the King's portrait faces left, in the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait is surrounded by the inscription "CHARLES III - DG-REX-FD" and the face value of "100 POUNDS".
