Royal Mint, 1993 Britannia 1/4 oz Gold Coin

Description

Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The quarter ounce (1/4 oz) gold coins are denominated as Twenty-five Pounds (£25).

The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art. The coins are typically “one-year” types usually issued in parallel with other denominations with the same reverse designs.

The 1993 gold quarter-ounce (1/4oz) coin was issued by the Royal Mint with the “definitive” standing Britannia type.

The composition of the coin is 91.67% gold alloyed with silver. The quarter-ounce (1/4oz) gold coin was issued as “bullion” (in Brilliant Uncirculated grade).

The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the “Third Portrait”). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.

Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer’s initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).

Around, the monarch’s legend: ELIZABETH ‘ II ‘ DEI ‘ GRATIA ‘ REGINA ‘ F ‘ D ‘ 25 POUNDS ‘. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

On the reverse, at centre, the standing figure of Britannia – the female personification of Great Britain, facing left, with flowing robes, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet pushed back to reveal her face. She is holding a trident in her right hand; her left hand rests on a shield decorated with the cross of the Union Jack, and holds an olive branch. She is standing on a rock, with sea waves in the background.

Around, interrupted by the trident, the inscription ‘ 1/4 ‘ OUNCE ‘ FINE ‘ ‘ GOLD ‘ ‘ BRITANNIA ‘ 1993 ‘.

The artist’s surname NATHAN (Philip Nathan) is in relief in small letters on the rock under Britannia’s feet.