British Silver Coins from BullionMax
The Royal Mint of England, often referred to simply as the Royal Mint, is the official minting facility of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for producing the country’s currency, including coins and medals. The Royal Mint also produces coins for other countries and offers a range of commemorative and bullion coins for collectors and investors.
British Silver Britannia Coins
The Britannia series is one of the most popular and enduring coin ranges produced by the Royal Mint. Britannia is a symbol of British strength and resilience and has been featured on coins since Roman times. The silver Britannia coins are struck in .999 fine silver as of 2013 and come in various sizes, ranging from one-ounce to fractional weights. These coins typically feature a depiction of Britannia on the reverse and the reigning monarch on the obverse. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II featured on the coins through early 2023, with King Charles III now on the obverse of mid-2023.
- 1997: Coins with this issue date feature the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Raphael Maklouf.
- 1998-2015: Arguably the most well-known depiction of Queen Elizabeth II, coins with this issue date showcase the Ian Rank-Broadley depiction of Her Majesty.
- 2016-2023: Coins with this issue date display the Jody Clark depiction of Queen Elizabeth II.
- 2023-Present: With the unfortunate passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the effigy of King Charles III is now shown on these coins. The King is seen in left-profile relief with no crown. Martin Jennings created this design.
Notable British Silver Coin Collections
When it comes to silver coins, the Royal Mint has produced numerous series and individual coins over the years. Some notable examples include:
- Queen’s Beasts Series: The Queen’s Beasts is a series of coins that celebrates the ten ancestral heraldic beasts that stood guard at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. Each beast represents a different aspect of British history and mythology. The silver coins in this series are also struck in .9999 fine silver and feature intricate designs of the respective heraldic beasts on the reverse, with the Queen’s effigy on the obverse.
- Tudor Beasts Series: Introduced as a follow-up to the Queen’s Beasts Series, the new Tudor Beasts Series features 10 new heraldic beast designs inspired by the reign of the monarchs from the House of Tudor, a dynasty that controlled the throne from 1485 to 1603.
- Lunar Series: The Lunar series is based on the Chinese zodiac and features different animals every year. The Royal Mint has produced silver coins as part of this series, which are highly sought after by collectors. Each coin represents a specific animal sign, such as the Year of the Rat, the Year of the Ox, and so on. These coins are usually struck in .999 or .9999 fine silver and come in various sizes.
- Commemorative Coins: The Royal Mint regularly releases commemorative coins to mark significant events or anniversaries. These coins often feature special designs, and limited mintage, and are sought after by collectors. Some examples include coins commemorating royal weddings, historical events, sporting events, and famous individuals.
History of the Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has a long and storied history, dating back over a thousand years. Its origins can be traced to the 9th century during the reign of King Alfred the Great (871-899). At that time, coins were produced in various locations across England by different mints. However, Alfred the Great consolidated these mints and established a central mint in London. This marked the beginning of what would eventually become the Royal Mint.
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