Description
1 oz Gold Britannia Coin – .9999 Fine Gold
The 1 oz Gold Britannia Coin is one of the United Kingdom’s flagship sovereign bullion coins. Produced by The Royal Mint, each modern .9999 fine Gold Britannia contains exactly 1 troy ounce of pure gold and carries a legal-tender face value of £100.
The Gold Britannia series was introduced in 1987. Early Britannias were struck in 22-karat gold, but beginning in 2013 The Royal Mint increased the gold purity to .9999 fine, or 24 karat. This product listing is specifically for the modern .9999 fine version of the Britannia.
1 oz Gold Britannia Highlights
- Contains 1.000 troy ounce of pure gold
- Struck from .9999 fine, 24-karat gold
- Produced by The Royal Mint
- £100 British legal-tender face value
- Modern .9999 fine format introduced in 2013
- Features Philip Nathan’s iconic Britannia design
- Modern issues incorporate advanced visual security features
- Government-issued sovereign gold bullion
- Widely recognized in international precious-metals markets
- May qualify for certain Precious Metals IRAs subject to applicable requirements
1 oz Gold Britannia Specifications
| Metal | Gold |
| Fine Gold Weight | 1.000 troy oz |
| Approximate Weight | 31.103 grams |
| Purity | .9999 fine gold |
| Gold Content | 99.99% / 24 karat |
| Diameter | 32.69 mm |
| Face Value | £100 GBP |
| Mint | The Royal Mint |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Reverse Designer | Philip Nathan |
| Quality | Bullion |
Britannia: An Icon of British Coinage
The reverse features Philip Nathan’s celebrated interpretation of Britannia, the female personification of Britain. Britannia stands beside a shield bearing the Union flag while holding a trident, representing Britain’s maritime heritage, and an olive branch symbolizing peace.
Philip Nathan’s design was created for the introduction of the Gold Britannia bullion series in 1987 and has become one of the most recognizable images in modern British bullion coinage.
The obverse features the reigning British monarch appropriate to the coin’s year. Earlier modern issues feature Queen Elizabeth II, while newer Britannias feature the official coinage portrait of King Charles III. Exact obverse details therefore depend on the year of the coin supplied.
From 22-Karat to .9999 Fine Gold
When The Royal Mint introduced the Gold Britannia in 1987, the coin was produced from 22-karat gold. In 2013, the Mint transitioned the series to .9999 fine gold, establishing the modern Britannia as a 24-karat bullion coin.
The .9999 fine version contains virtually no alloy metals and provides buyers with one full troy ounce of highly pure sovereign gold. This places the modern Britannia alongside other leading 24-karat bullion coins such as the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, American Gold Buffalo and Australian Gold Kangaroo.
Advanced Britannia Security Features
Beginning with the 2021 bullion design, The Royal Mint incorporated four advanced visual security features into the Britannia. These features are designed to make authentication easier while also adding detail and movement to the coin.
- Latent image: changes between a trident and padlock as the viewing angle changes
- Surface animation: creates the appearance of waves moving behind Britannia
- Micro-text: includes the inscription DECUS ET TUTAMEN, meaning “an ornament and a safeguard”
- Tincture lines: add fine detail to the Union flag on Britannia’s shield
These features apply to modern issues. Earlier .9999 fine Britannias may not contain all of the current security technology.
Why Buy a 1 oz Gold Britannia?
The 1 oz Gold Britannia combines one full troy ounce of gold, .9999 fine purity, sovereign legal-tender status and the reputation of The Royal Mint. Its standardized gold content makes its underlying precious-metal value straightforward to compare with the prevailing spot price of gold.
The Britannia also gives buyers exposure to physical gold through a major sovereign mint rather than a privately produced bar or round. Its established history and international recognition can make the coin familiar to precious-metals dealers and buyers in multiple markets.
For those comparing one-ounce sovereign gold products, the Britannia provides a distinctly British alternative to the American Gold Buffalo, Canadian Maple Leaf, Austrian Philharmonic and Australian Kangaroo.
Because the modern Britannia is struck from .9999 fine gold, it exceeds the minimum gold fineness generally required for qualifying bullion held in certain self-directed Precious Metals IRAs. Eligibility remains subject to applicable IRS rules and custodian requirements. Learn more about Precious Metals IRAs or browse our complete selection of gold coins and bullion.
Gold Britannia vs. American Gold Buffalo
Both the modern Gold Britannia and American Gold Buffalo contain one full troy ounce of .9999 fine, 24-karat gold. The primary differences are their issuing governments, designs and market preferences.
The Gold Britannia is produced by The Royal Mint and features one of Britain’s most enduring national symbols. The Gold Buffalo is issued by the United States Mint and uses James Earle Fraser’s classic American designs. Buyers seeking highly pure sovereign gold may consider either coin based on availability, premium and personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gold is in a 1 oz Gold Britannia?
The modern .9999 fine 1 oz Gold Britannia contains exactly one troy ounce of pure gold.
What is the purity of the Gold Britannia?
Britannias produced since 2013 are struck from .9999 fine, or 99.99% pure, 24-karat gold.
Were Gold Britannias always .9999 fine?
No. Gold Britannias were originally produced in 22-karat gold beginning in 1987. The Royal Mint increased the series to .9999 fine gold in 2013.
What is the face value of a 1 oz Gold Britannia?
The one-ounce Gold Britannia carries a legal-tender face value of £100. Its bullion value is determined primarily by its gold content rather than its nominal face value.
Who produces the Gold Britannia?
The coin is produced by The Royal Mint of the United Kingdom.
Do all Gold Britannias have the advanced security features?
No. The four advanced visual security features were introduced with the modern 2021 bullion design. Earlier coins may not include these elements.
Can a .9999 fine Gold Britannia be held in a Precious Metals IRA?
Its .9999 fine gold purity exceeds the minimum fineness generally applicable to qualifying gold bullion, but eligibility remains subject to applicable IRS rules, custody requirements and the IRA custodian.
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