BEHIND THE CRAFT
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Behind the Craft - Queen's Memorial

The brave warrior goddess Britannia has been a symbol of British pride and power for over 2,000 years, often depicted wearing a Corinthian helmet and carrying a shield and spear.

As Britain’s naval strength and global Empire grew during the reign of Queen Victoria, Britannia was frequently portrayed as a strong young woman carrying a nautical trident with echoes of mighty Neptune, ruling the waves.

Then, at the turn of the 20th Century she became a symbol of national mourning, first in 1901 as Britain grieved the death of Queen Victoria and again in 1910 as the nation mourned for her eldest son, Edward VII.

FG23BMEGP1OZ

2023 Britannia Memorial 1oz Gold Proof Coin - SOLD OUT

ONLY 250 COINS WORLDWIDE

Britannia, enduring feminine icon of British strength and pride, is reimagined in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s lifetime of dutiful service.

The East India Company - Collections

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Now, as Britain remembers its longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death, Britannia is once again in mourning in tribute to Her late Majesty’s lifetime of dutiful service and commitment to modernising the ancient British monarchy. Much like Britannia, Her Majesty will forever be remembered as a female icon, steadfast and true, an enduring national symbol of pride, grace and beauty.
• Strictly limited edition of just 250 coins worldwide
• One ounce of gleaming 999.9 fine gold
• New ‘Britannia Memorial’ design exclusive to this collection
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Product Detail

Now, as Britain remembers its longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death, Britannia is once again in mourning in tribute to Her late Majesty’s lifetime of dutiful service and commitment to modernising the ancient British monarchy. Much like Britannia, Her Majesty will forever be remembered as a female icon, steadfast and true, an enduring national symbol of pride, grace and beauty.
• Strictly limited edition of just 250 coins worldwide
• One ounce of gleaming 999.9 fine gold
• New ‘Britannia Memorial’ design exclusive to this collection
• Struck to our highest Proof quality finish
• Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet

Specification

  • Alloy

    Fine Gold - 999.9Au

  • Denomination

    £5

  • Weight

    1oz

  • Authority

    St Helena

  • Diameter

    32mm

  • Edge

    Milled

  • Issue limit

    250

  • Total Mintage

    250

Stories

Queen's Memorial

The reign of Queen Elizabeth II was one of rapid modernisation, as the post-war years gave way to the vibrant fashion, music, film and creativity that has dominated the cultural landscape since the 1960s.

Britannia also adapted to reflect the ever-changing world of the nation’s longest reigning monarch, moving in step with the evolving nature of Britain and her people, the epitome of ‘Cool Britannia’.
Britannia also holds a long association with British coinage, first appearing on farthings issued in 1672. She was a constant presence on the nation’s coins until 2008, when a new set of definitive designs were revealed that did not feature this great female symbol of British identity.

Britannia remained a notable absentee from the nation’s change until 2015 when, in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history, a new definitive £2 coin was released featuring a bold Britannia on its reverse, complete with her familiar helmet, trident and shield.

The coin’s design is inspired by an illustration from an issue of The Sphere magazine released in 1910 upon the death of Her late Majesty’s great-grandfather, Edward the Peacemaker, struck in fine gold to our highest proof quality finish.

Britannia wears her familiar plumed helmet, her trident resting upon her shoulder as she lowers the national flag to drape it in black in respectful mourning. By her side stands her shield, resting in respect for Queen Elizabeth II.

  • FAQ

    What is the difference between maximum mintage and issue limit?
    Maximum mintage is the total number of individuals coins which will be struck, this includes coins presented is sets. The Issue limit refers to the number of coins which will be sold in the specific presentation.

    What if the maximum mintage and issue limit is the same?
    This means the coin will only be available in the presentation shown and will not be issued in any other way.

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  • Delivery & Returns

    UK Standard Delivery: £9.95
    See our delivery page for more information and overseas delivery.

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