Great Britain 2012 Britannia Standing Windswept with Trident 2 Pounds Silver

Description

Swept by the wind, the goddess Britannia stands resolute, armed with trident and shield!
Since its introduction in 1997, the silver Britannia £2 coin has become a highlight of the numismatic year. The largest and purest coin with a standard, circulating legal tender denomination of the United Kingdom, it is minted in .958 Britannia silver, a most unusual alloy comprising 95.8% (23-karat) silver mixed with copper. Each
Britannia
is guaranteed by the British Royal Mint to contain one full ounce of fine silver, as indicated on the obverse.
This beautiful coin is part of the highly collectible series of one ounce, silver Britannias. The obverse design of this series, with the female personification of Great Britain, changes each year, further enhancing its collectibility. From 1998 through 2006, the even-dated years had a standard
Britannia
design, with a one-year-only design on the odd-dated years. This has since changed, and since 2006, the allegory of Britannia is annually novel. Many years of the silver Britannia can be very difficult to locate, much less in pristine condition (and they always increase in value!), so we advise buying a date that you need or want when you find it.
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Britannia
is perhaps the most recognizable of all the allegories or personifications of nations. She is nearly always depicted wearing a helmet and classical attire. She often sports armor and bears a shield, and is very often armed, her weapons of choice being a trident or a spear. It is not unusual for a vignette of a ship to be seen in the same scene as Britannia.
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Traditional, Classic Britannia Design
From 1998 through 2006, the Britannia of all even-numbered years feature the same design: a standing
Britannia
. This young and lithe beauty gazes seaward with her face turned in profile, a crested Trojan helmet on her head. In her right hand she holds a trident, emblematic of sea power, while in her left hand she steadies her great oval shield while holding a laurel sprig, indicative of Great Britain's desire for peace. Her hair and classical toga garb are swept by the ocean breeze.
The finish is best described as a proof-like finish. The surfaces are heavily mirrored and easily reflect newsprint, but the devices are not frosted.
This is a traditional portrait of great beauty and sensitivity, realistically rendered by a very talented artist, Philip Nathan. He is a well-known and accomplished sculptor and medalist, responsible for a number of coin and medal designs. Examples of Philip Nathan's
numismatic designs
and his
fine art
can be viewed by clicking on the respective links.
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Britannia on Coinage
It was the Romans who, in recording their invasion and colonization of the mysterious island (which they called
Britannia
) lying beyond Oceanus, a country which they believed full of silver, first portrayed Britannia on their coins. Much later Britannia was to become a fitting symbol to grace the reverse of the copper coins of King Charles II when, in direct allusion to the then war with the Dutch, her image symbolized her sovereignty of the seas. Universally recognized as the personification of Britain, she has graced the coins of every British monarch since. On the coinage of the present
Queen Elizabeth II
, she featured on every pre-decimal penny and, following decimalization, was chosen to appear on the 50 pence coin. She was again chosen to grace the new gold coinage introduced in 1987, the coins of highest denomination in the realm, and on the one ounce silver coins introduced in 1997.
Britannia Silver
The Britannia £2 coin is struck in
Britannia
silver, an alloy of silver containing 95.8% silver and the balance copper. The Britannia standard of silver was introduced as part of the recoinage of King William III in 1696, in an attempt to limit the clipping and melting of sterling silver coinage, it being reasoned that there would be less incentive to melt sterling silver when a higher standard was used for ‘wrought plate’. In 1697 Britannia silver became the obligatory standard for items of plate silver and the lion passant guardant hallmark was replaced with ‘the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia’. Sterling silver was approved again for use by silversmiths in 1720, with Britannia silver remaining optional.
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Obverse
A full body portrait of the goddess Britannia, facing forward with head turned to the left, wearing a crested helmet on her head and classical Roman toga garb. The date is indicated, and the legend ONE OUNCE FINE SILVER guarantees the net silver content, while the legend BRITANNIA defines the theme. It is interesting to note that the country of issue is indicated nowhere, as is typical for British coinage.
Reverse
Her Majesty,
Queen Elizabeth II of England
, in crowned profile facing right. This portrait, featuring Her Majesty wearing a tiara and pearl earrings, was executed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. The legend ELIZABETH II D G REG FID DEF (Latin for "Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God and Defender of the Faith") and the denomination also appear.
Specifications
Country
Great Britain
Mint
British Royal Mint
Year of Issue
2012
Face Value
£2 (2 Pounds)
Weight
32.45 g
Diameter
40 mm
Mintage Limit
100,000
Finish
Proof-Like
Composition
.9583 Fine (23-Karat or Britannia) Silver
Edge
Reeded (milled, serrated)
Artist
Philip Nathan (obverse)
Ian Rank-Broadley (reverse)
Packaging
Archival Quality Mylar Holder
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