Thursday, 13 February 2020

1240) "Britannia", United Kingdom: The Annual Gold and Silver Bullion Proof & Uncirculated Coins Series brought out by the Royal Mint, UK: Date of issue: 10.02.2020:

1240) "Britannia", United Kingdom: The Annual Gold and Silver Bullion Proof & Uncirculated Coins Series brought out by the Royal Mint, UK: Date of issue: 10.02.2020:

Britannia first appeared on coins nearly 2,000 years ago, as a symbol of a province newly brought under the control of Rome. The woman warrior that graced the coins of Hadrian is the source of inspiration for a modern icon that embodies the spirit of a nation.

The concept of Britannia re-emerged in the Elizabethan era, but only returned to coins in 1672, during the reign of Charles II. From that time onwards, she has featured on the coins of every British monarch until the reign of King George V and thereafter until 1970, when the last old-style pennies were released.

From 1969 until 2008, a graceful rendition of Britannia was seen on 50 Pence coins and more recently, she has made a somewhat stylised appearance on the Reverse of definitive two-pound coins from 2015.

Artists of each era have depicted Britannia, on coins and elsewhere, in ways that reflect the ideas and style of their time. Through every version/design, this enduring icon has taken on more layers of meaning and come to embody aspects of a culture and people.

The 2020 Britannia Coins:

The Royal Mint, UK has brought out on 10.02.2020, the 2020 dated collection of Proof Gold and Silver Britannia Coins, which is one of the Mint's popular Series. The Bullion-related coins, with Reverse designs that are always different every year and feature the famed allegorical personification of Great Britain and the British Isles.

The 2020 Britannia has been created by James Tottle, who is best known for his dramatic ice sculptures, magnificent figures carved from large frozen blocks. His contemporary design interpretation of Britannia, though it derives inspiration from the past.


The Reverse of the 2020, Proof editions of Gold and Silver Britannias depicts Britannia standing, facing the wind, a trident planted into the rocks, as the waves crash around her. On her arm, she holds a shield featuring the head of a lion. 

The Obverse of the 2020, Proof editions of the Gold and Silver Britannias depicts an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Jody Clark, whose initials "JC" appear below the Queen's neck.

The peripheral inscriptions are - "500 POUNDS. ELIZABETH II. D.G. REG. F.D." (meaning "Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God, Queen."

A 5 Ounce Gold Version of the 2020 Britannia is being retailed as a separate purchase.

The elegant 5 Ounce Gold Britannia Coin comes housed in an elegant box and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

The 2 Ounce Gold Britannia Coin too comes housed in an elegant box and is accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).


A Quarter Ounce Gold Britannia Coin is pictured here kept in an elegant box and is accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). 

The Gold versions of the Britannia Coin are also available as a six-coin set ranging from One Ounce to 1/40th Ounce and are presented in a polished hardwood case accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).


A three-coin Gold Britannia Coin set featuring the Half, Quarter and 1/10th Ounce Coins presented in a polished hardwood box and accompanied with a  numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

The specifications of the six Gold Britannia Coins are:

1 Oz Britannia Gold Coin:

Denomination: 100 Pounds; Metal Composition: 999.9 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 31.21 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.69 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/2 Oz Britannia Gold Coin:

Denomination: 50 Pounds; Metal Composition: 999.9 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 15.6 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.0 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/4 Oz Britannia Gold Coin:

Denomination: 25 Pounds; Metal Composition: 999.9 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 7.8 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.0 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/10 Oz Britannia Gold Coin:

Denomination: 25 Pounds; Metal Composition: 999.9 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 3.13 grams; Diameter: 16.50 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/20 Oz Britannia Gold Coin:

Denomination: 1 Pound; Metal Composition: 999.9 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 1.58 grams; Diameter/Size: 12.0 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/40 Oz Britannia Gold Coin:

Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: 999.9 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 0.8 grams; Diameter/Size: 8.0 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

Silver Proof Britannias:


The Silver Proof Britannia editions are available as a premium six-coin set including a One Ounce to 1/40th Ounce, presented in a custom black faux-leather case along with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

A Silver Proof Britannia two-Coin set is also available, including a Standard and Reverse Proof strike.

A Silver Proof single Britannia Coin is also available.

A two-Coin Britannia Silver Coin-set which includes a Standard and Reverse Proof strikes is available, as well.

The specifications of the Silver Proof Britannia Coins are

1 Oz Britannia Silver Coin:

Denomination: 2 Pounds; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.21 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.61 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/2 Oz Britannia Silver Coin:

Denomination: 1 Pound; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 15.71 grams; Diameter/Size: 27.00 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/4 Oz Britannia Silver Coin:

Denomination: 50 Pence; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 7.86 grams; Diameter/Size: 22.0 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/10 Oz Britannia Silver Coin:

Denomination: 20 Pence; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 3.15 grams; Diameter/Size: 16.50 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

1/20 Oz Britannia Silver Coin:

Denomination:10 Pence; Metal Composition:.999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 1.58 grams; Diameter/Size: 12.00 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

 1/40 Oz Britannia Silver Coin:

Denomination: 5 Pence; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 0.8 grams; Diameter: 8.00 mm; Reverse Designer: James Tottle; Obverse Designer: Jody Clark; Coin Quality: Proof; Year: 2020; Edge: Milled.

An exclusive Silver Britannia Kilo Coin has also been minted and comes in an elegant case, together with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
A Silver 5 Oz Britannia Coin is also available.

The Britannia 2020 collection is available as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition alongside a range of precious metal editions, coin sets and limited edition prints signed by James Tottle, that includes a coin.

An image of a limited edition serially numbered print signed by James Tottle, which includes a coin.















Links to some other interesting posts from the British Isles and British Overseas Territories/Dependencies:
Central Bank of Ireland issues:


1) Jonathan Swift: 350th Birth Anniversary 15 Euro Silver Proof coin features his most famous work "Gulliver's Travels" : Coin issued on 30.11.2017

2) Ireland: Women's right to Vote - 100th Year Anniversary : A Silver 15 Euro Proof Collector Coin issued by the Central Bank of Ireland on 27.11.2018

3) Irish Myths & Legends: 1) The Children of Lir;2) Cu Chulain; 3) The Omniscient Salmon of Knowledge; 4) Werewolves of Ossory; 5) The Brown Bull of Cooley and Deirdre of the Sorrows: An Annual Mint Set from the Central Bank of Ireland, recreates/celebrates Irish Folk Tales (Issue date: 30.04.2018)

4) Centenary of the "First Trans-Atlantic Aviation", Ireland: A 15 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the central Bank of Ireland and minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Coin issue date: 10.07.2019

Northern Ireland Bank issues:

1) Northern Ireland Polymer Bank Issues: Danske Bank (10 Pounds Polymer Banknotes), Bank of Ireland (5 & 10 Pound Polymer Banknotes) to go into circulation in 2020/21





Inspirations from Scottish History (Clydesdale Bank Banknotes): 

1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes
  
2) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote

Banknotes from Royal Bank of Scotland:



British Crown Dependencies/Overseas Territories:

1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey

2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey

3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey

4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain

5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010
  
6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015

7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend

8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie

9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda


11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003 

12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint

13) Currency of the Falkland Islands: A British Overseas Territory (BOT) Pounds & Pence

14) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The first Coin in the Series of four coins: the Rock-Hopper Penguin 


15) Falkland Islands Penguins: 50 Pence Coin Series: The Gentoo Penguin:Second Coin in the series of four coins issued on 20.06.2017 

19) The Isle of Man: A British Crown Dependency (BCD) Coinage: A newly introduced Collector's circulation Currency Coinage Collector's set received from the Tower Mint, London, UK issued in April 2017

20) Pegasus: British Virgin Islands: A gold Bullion Coin of $100 issued by Pobjoy Mint on belalf of British Virgin Islands in July 2018

21) "The Hydra": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High Relief Coin with Antique Finish: Third Coin in the Series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint, UK on behalf of BIOT on 07.08.2018

22) "Medusa The Gorgon": British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT): A Silver Double Crown (4 Pounds), 2 Oz High relief Coin with antique Finish: Fourth Coin in the series titled "Mythical Creatures" issued by Pobjoy Mint UK on behalf of BIOT in 09/2018



25) South Atlantic Fauna Coins from Ascension Island and South Georgia and Sandwich Islands, British Overseas Territories (BOT): (Part II): A 1 Pound Titanium Coin & a 1 Pound Uncirculated Coin variant, feature the Queen Triggerfish, issued on behalf of Ascension Island (2019) minted by the Pobjoy Mint, UK

26) Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic Explorer: South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands: A 2 Pounds Coin minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK, brought out on 26.02.2019 on behalf of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands in two variants - Silver and Cupro-nickel

27) Concorde, a Stamp set from Gibraltar, A British Overseas Territory (BOT): 50th Anniversary of the first Supersonic Passenger Carrying Airplane, jointly built by France and Great Britain: Stamp set issue date: 20.04.2019

28) Tristan da Cunha (BOT): A Wedgwood "Three Graces" Jasperware 5 Pound Coin: minted in 2018

29) 75th Anniversary of D-Day Landings: (The Battle of Normandy): i) A Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau Stamp set of 4 stamps issued on 08.03.2019: ii) A Limited edition D-Day joint Commemorative issue by British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territory - Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar on 06.06.2019

30) Manannan, the First King of Isle of Man or Mann: A Silver 5 Pounds Coin brought out by the Isle of Man in collaboration with Coin Invest Trust (CIT) and minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt, Munich

31) 200th Anniversary of John Keats' "Odes to a ....", Alderney Island: A set of six Postage stamps issued by Guernsey Post which brings out stamps on behalf of Alderney Island - 1) Ode on a Grecian Urn,(48p) 2) Ode on Indolence (65p), 3) Ode on Melancholy (66p), 4) Ode to a Nightingale (80p), 5) Ode to Psyche (90p), 6) Ode to Autumn (98 p): Stamp Set issue date: 24.07.2019

32) Isle of Mann: Celebrating the 200th Birth Anniversary of the Birth of Herman Melville, the author of the classic Moby Dick: A six Stamp Set issued on 22.07.2019

33) "Tatty Teddy" - "Me to You" Bears: Isle of Man Post Office is marketing a special edition of 200 Bears dressed as Santa along-with Tatty Teddy's own stamp and special envelope post-marked "21.11.2019"


35) "Video Games" - Great Britain: A set of 8 Postage stamps brought out by the Royal Mail U.K. featuring Elite (1984), Dizzy (1987), Populous (1989), Lemmings (1991), Micro Machines (1991), Sensible Soccer (1992), Wipeout (1995), Worms (1995) and 2 Miniature Sheets on "Tomb Raider - Lara Croft": Date of Stamp set issue : 21.01.2020

36) Royal Mint, United Kingdom (UK): Five new Commemorative Coins to be issued this year (2020) include the: 1) "Bicentenary of the death of King George III", 2) Tokyo Olympics, 3) "Voyage of the Mayflower", 4) "Victory in Europe Day - 75th Anniversary, 5) Agatha Christie's First novel - The Mysterious Affair at Styles":

37) 250th Birth Anniversary of Beethoven: A Commemorative Postage stamp of 1 Pound issued by Guernsey Post, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): Stamp issue date: 21.01.2020

38) Rock Band "Queen", United Kingdom: A new Collector Coin Series titled -"Music Legends": First Coins in the Series minted by the Royal Mint, UK, features the iconic Band on Cupro-nickel (5 Pounds), Silver (1 & 2 Pounds) and Gold (25 & 100 Pounds) Coins: Coins issue date: 20.01.2020

39) "BREXIT" Coins, UK: 50 Pence Commemorative Coins being issued by the Royal Mint, UK: Issue date: 31.01.2020

40) 200th Anniversary of Royal Astronomical Society, United Kingdom (1820-2020): "Visions of the Universe", which include a combo of eight stamps exhibiting contributions to Astronomy made by the RAS and a 50 Pence Coin depicting a Black Hole, with a special commentary on Prof. Stephen Hawking's contribution to astronomy & a 24-page Prestige Stamp Booklet: Stamp set issue date: 11.02.2020

41) "Britannia", United Kingdom: The Annual Gold and Silver Bullion Proof & Uncirculated Coins Series brought out by the Royal Mail, UK: Date of issue: 10.02.2020


Famous Battles
1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK) 
2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

Gold Coins:
  
1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark

2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark 

Silver Coins:



British India Coinage:

 1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835

2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress

3) Edward VII: King & Emperor  Coinage

4) George V King Emperor Coinage

5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage 

Other British Royalty: 

1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK

2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown

3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK

4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013

5) The British Empire:  A Case of Numismatic "Segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)

6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark

 British Coinage:


2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin


4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone




 Commemorative British Coinage:

 1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era

 2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK

3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)


5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his " Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK 



Links: Postage Stamps: 

12) Owls: A set of 10 Stamps depicting five Owls - Barn Owl (Tyto alba), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Tawny Owl (Strix aluco), Short eared Owl (Asio flammeus) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) issued by the Royal Mail Uk on 11.05.2018

13) Reintroduced Species: A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting UK's successfully restored wildlife including the Osprey, Eurasian Beaver, Pool Frog, Sand Lizard, Large Blue Butterfly and Stinking Hawk's-beard species on 17.04.2018

14) World Post Day Limited Edition of 500 Commemorative Covers, Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory (BOT): Special Cover issue date:n 09.10.2019

15) Forests, Royal Mail, U.K.: Centenary of the Forestry Commission (1919-2019): A set of six stamps issued by the Royal Mail, UK depicting six well-known forests across the U.K. - i) Glen Affric Inverness-shire, Scotland; ii) Westonbirt Gloucestershire, England; iii) Sherwood Forest; iv) Coed y Brenin Gwynedd, Wales; v) Glenriff Forest Country Antrim, Northern Ireland; vi) Kielder Forest Northumberland, England: Stamp set issue date:13.08.2019




17) 150th Anniversary (Sesquicentenary) of The Royal Philatelic Society London: A Limited Edition Commemorative Cover (500 Editions) brought outby the Gibraltar Post on 21.10.2019

18) "The Christmas story", Alderney, A British Crown Dependency (BCD): Alderney Post in association with Guernsey Post has issued this set of seven stamps, designs for which have been made through paper-cutting art: Date of issue: 30.10.2019






24) 250th Birth Anniversary of Beethoven: A Commemorative Postage stamp of 1 Pound issued by Guernsey Post, a British Crown Dependency (DCD): Stamp issue date: 21.01.2020

25) "Sealife in the Ramsar Region" managed by Alderney Wildlife Trust, Alderney, a British Crown Dependency (BCD): A set of six stamps issued by the States of Alderney Post for Guernsey Post featuring a Grey Seal Pup (48 Pence), Shore Crab (65 Pence), Garnet (66 Pence), Beadlet Anemone (80 Pence), Ormer (90 Pence) and Cushion Stars (98 Pence)


6 comments:

  1. Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
    "That's an interesting bit of information! But for us Indians, the've been good Cookie bakers/ makers! 😜"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Santosh Khanna has commented:
    "GOOD information."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ashok Borate has commented:
    "Nice information Rajeev ji."

    ReplyDelete