British Silver Coins

British Silver Coins for Investment

Silver is one of the leading precious metals at the moment, and the demand for silver coins from sovereign mint programs and a select few private mints has at times threatened to put all coin programs on halt due to silver shortages. JM Bullion is proud to carry some of the world’s most well-known, and up-and-coming, silver bullion coin programs, including the various Royal Mint silver options from the United Kingdom.

British Silver Britannia Coin Series

The modern-day official bullion coin of Britain, these coins feature an image of the Roman deity Britannia, who served as a protector for the British Isles. Introduced in 1997, these coins were originally available with .958 fine silver but are now produced in .999 pure silver. The 2017 release of these silver coins marks the milestone 20th anniversary for the silver version of Britain’s official bullion coin, and the modern highlights of these coins include:

• Arrives in a protective plastic capsule, mint tube of 25 coins, or Monster Box of 500 coins.
• Contains 1 Troy oz of .999 pure silver in BU condition.
• Bears a face value of 2 (GBP) backed by the British government.

British Silver Britannia coins have had the same design concepts on the obverse and reverse faces of the coin since their introduction in 1997. The only changes ever to come to the program occurred recently with the introduction of an updated portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the coin’s obverse side. Further details include:

• On the obverse of all British Silver Britannia Coins you’ll find the newest portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty’s effigy is updated on occasion to reflect her current age on the throne. A new designed debuted on 2016 issue Royal Mint coins from Jody Clark, marking the fifth generation depiction of the Queen.
• The reverse of the British Silver Britannia includes the image of the goddess Britannia, famed guardian of Britain. She is depicted standing along the island’s southern coast, looking out across the English Channel with her trident (to control the seas) as she holds a shield in her other hand to guard the nation that bears the Union Jack insignia.

In addition to the regular-issue Silver Britannia coins, there is Royal Mint silver bullion available with unique designs from this same collection. For example, the Silver Britannia is available in a gilded and colorized version, as well.

British Silver Queen’s Beast Coin Series

On June 2, 1953, Her Majesty The Queen was crowned sovereign head of England. During the ceremony, ten heraldic beasts stood guard outside the coronation in Westminster Abbey. The Queen’s Beasts, as they are known, are a collection of statues commissioned by the British Ministry of Works and sculpted by James Woodford RA. Each one stands six feet tall and was cast in plaster. Each of the ten statues depict the genealogy of The Queen, with each of the heraldic beasts symbolizing the various strands of The Queen’s royal ancestry.

Launched in 2016 the British Queen’s Beast Coin series is an exciting option for those looking to buy silver because it offers a Royal Mint first. The 2 oz bullion coins in this collection, featuring .9999 pure silver content and a face value of £5 (GBP), mark the first-ever release of a 2 oz bullion coin from the Royal Mint. The series is set to feature a total of 10 designs, and each release will include the 2 oz silver coin, as well as a 1 oz and ¼ oz gold option.

The British Silver Queen’s Beast Coins from the Royal Mint are among the first to feature the latest effigy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on the obverse face. The designs come from Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark, who at just 33 years old, became the youngest Royal Mint engraver to design an effigy of the Queen for British coinage. This design includes:

• The obverse side of the coin bears the latest depiction of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in right-profile relief. The Queen’s portrait is accompanied by engravings of her name and the face value in Pound Sterling. This represents the fifth iteration of Her Majesty’s portrait to appear on UK coinage since 1952.

2016 Lion Coin

First up in the release schedule was the 2016 British Queen’s Beast design of the Lion of England, the most prominent and important to Queen Elizabeth II directly. The Barbary lion is the national animal of England. During the Middle Ages, lions kept within the Tower of London were Barbary lions, and English medieval warriors even took on the name of “The Lion” for their bravery in battle. The most famous of these British rulers was Richard I of England, who is known to this day simply as Richard the Lionheart.

• On the reverse of the 2016 British Queen’s Beast Lion Coin is the image of a massive lion standing on its hind legs, with the heraldic shield of Britain in front of it. Engravings on this face identify the animal represented in the series, as well as the coin’s weight, purity, metal content, and year of issue.

2017 Griffin Coin

The Griffin is considered a beneficent creature that signifies courage and strength combined with the virtues of guardianship, vigilance, swiftness, and a keen sense of vision. The Griffin was emblazoned on the private seal of Edward III. King Edward III reigned for 50 years from January 1327 until his death in June 1377, and was known for restoring royal authority following his father’s (Edward II) disastrous reign, and also for establishing the Kingdom of England as one of Europe’s most formidable military powers.

For the second overall release of the series, and the first of 2017, the Royal Mint selected the image of the Griffin of Edward III. With the head, wings, and front paws of an eagle, and the body of a lion, this was said to be the most powerful animal in the world. That power comes from the lion’s status as king of the beasts, and the eagle’s status as king of the birds.

• On the 2017 Queen’s Beast Griffin coin’s reverse you’ll find the image of a Griffin standing tall and proud, its wings fully outstretched over its head. It has its front paws up on a shield, and includes engravings of the weight, metal content, purity, and year of issue.

2017 Dragon Coin

Known officially as the Red Dragon of Wales, the dragon itself was originally used by Owen Tudor, grandfather of Henry VII. He was a Welsh courtier and the second husband of Catherine of Valois, the widow of Henry V. Owen descended from a prominent family from Penmynydd in the Isle of Anglesey, and was the grandfather of Henry VII, who founded the Tudor dynasty.

The Red Dragon of Wales includes the coat of arms used by the last native Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd The dragon’s origin is based upon the story of the dragon on Llewelyn the Last’s castle grounds. Henry VII took on the symbol in a nod to his supposed descent from the Cadwaladr. Now, the Red Dragon design is available as the third overall release in the series, and the second release of the 2017 schedule.

• On the reverse of the 2017 British Queen’s Beast Dragon Coin is the image of the Red Dragon of Wales. The dragon is often depicted holding a shield bearing a lion in each quarter of it, which accurately depicts the coat of arms used by Llywelyn.

2018 Unicorn Coin

The first release in the 2018 Queen’s Beast Schedule focuses on the Unicorn of Scotland. In 1603, King James VI of Scotland physically merged the crowns of England and Scotland when he ascended to the throne of England following the death of Queen Elizabeth I. The last surviving child of King Henry VIII and final Tudor monarch, Elizabeth I left no children, having never married.

King James VI of Scotland was her closest living relative, the son of her father’s cousin. James VI physically merged the crowns and ruled as James I of England, bringing the Unicorn of Scotland into the heraldic arms of England. To this day, the Unicorn supports the Royal Arms of England alongside the Lion of England. The design in this release includes:

• The reverse features a tall, powerful unicorn supporting the shield of Scotland first adopted in the 13^th century by the Scottish king, Alexander III. Depicting a red lion in a rampant pose, this shield has remained unchanged in Scottish heraldry to this day.

2018 Black Bull Coin

For the second release of the 2018 Queen’s Beast Series, the Royal Mint of England highlights the first heraldic beast to originate with the House of York. The House of York came to power in England during the Wars of the Roses, with the first Yorkist king, Edward IV, ending for a time the tumultuous reign of King Henry VI of the House of Lancaster. Edward would reign as King of England during two separate time periods, with a one-year gap in his reign where Henry VI returned to the throne from exile in Scotland.

Edward IV claimed the English throne through his great-grandfather, Roger Mortimer, a descendant of the Duke of Clarence. He brought with him to the throne the powerful Black Bull as a heraldic symbol. He also adopted a shield that would prove popular long after his own reign with monarchs from the House of Lancaster and the House of Tudor after him. The reverse design of the 2018 Black Bull coins includes:

• The powerful Black Bull supports a quartered shield that signifies British monarchs’ claims to the throne of England during the 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th For more than 200 years, monarchs used this quartered shield that included the golden lilies of France in the upper-left and lower-right quadrants, along with the Three Lions of England in the upper-right and lower-left quadrants.

2019 Falcon Coin

The first coin to release in the 2019 Queen’s Beast Series highlights one of the most popular heraldic beasts aside from the Lion of England. The House of Plantagenet ruled England for more than 330 years from the reign of Henry II in 1154 to the death of King Richard III at Bosworth Field in 1485.

One of the most powerful and influential monarchs during this period was King Edward III. The Plantagenet ruler enjoyed the second-longest reign during England’s Medieval period, sitting on the throne for 50 years. Edward III brought stability to the crown and reestablished confidence in the monarchy following his father’s disastrous reign. Edward III was most prominently known for his military achievements, including wars with Scotland and France. The latter entanglements in France eventually led to the start of the Hundred Years War with France for control of its throne.

The design used in the 2019 Falcon of the Plantagenets Coin includes:

• The reverse feature of this coin depicts the White Falcon of King Edward III. The king used the White Falcon in his personal badge as a reflection of his love of falconry and hawking. The White Falcon design here depicts one falcon supporting the shield of Edward III, which itself features a second falcon clutching an open fetterlock in its talons.

2019 Yale Coin

The second coin issued in the 2019 Queen’s Beast Series, and seventh overall in the collection, features the images of the Yale of Beaufort. The Yale is one of four mythical beasts to feature in the Royal Arms of England and comes from Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII. The latter was the first monarch in the House of Tudor and ended the Wars of the Roses with the defeat of King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.

The Yale of Beaufort was handed down to Henry VII through his mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, the sole heir of the Duke of Somerset, John Beaufort. The details of the reverse design for this release include:

• The Yale is depicted supporting the shield in this depiction of the Royal Arms. The Yale is often depicted as a goat- or antelope-like creature with long, winding horns and the tusks of a boar on its snout. The Yale supports a shield with the portcullis, a symbol from the badge of King Henry VII.

2020 White Lion Coin

The first issue of 2020 and the eighth in the Queen’s Beast Series, the White Lion of Mortimer is another heraldic beast associated with the House of York. The White Lion comes from Anne de Mortimer. Anne was the eldest of the children of Roger Mortimer, 4^th Earl of March and a descendent of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, who was the second surviving son of King Edward III of England. It was Anne’s son, Richard of York who was 3^rd Duke of York, that provided a link to the crown for the White Lion. Richard’s son, Edward, became King Edward IV, first monarch of England from the House of York. In the design of the new 2020 White Lion coins, the Royal Mint features:

• A lion standing on its hind legs with a left forepaw raised to combat any enemies while guarding a shield. The shield features the white rose en soleil, or a white rose encircled by a golden sun. The White Lion is uncrowned and was often used by King Edward IV alongside the Lion of England in support of his Royal Arms while reigning as King of England.

2020 White Horse Coin

In the second release of the 2020 Queen’s Beast Series, the Royal Mint introduces the newest heraldic beast to join the Royal Arms of England. The White Horse of Hanover came to the Royal Arms in 1714 with the ascension to the throne of Elector George of Hanover. George was a grandson of Elizabeth Stuart who was the sister of King Charles I. Upon the death of Anne, Queen of England, the House of Hanover came to control of the throne with the White Horse from the Arms of Hanover subsequently being incorporated into the Royal Arms of England. On the reverse face of 2020 White Horse coins, you will find:

• A powerful mustang on its hind legs with its front legs over the top of the shield in the Royal Arms. With the rise of the Hanovers, the Royal Arms was amended to feature the Three Lions of England and Lion of Scotland together in the first quadrant. The French fleur de lis features in the second quadrant with the Harp of Ireland in the third. The fourth quadrant now features the combined arms of Hanover.

2021 White Greyhound Coin

The lone release of 2021 and the final design in the beloved Queen’s Beast Series, the White Greyhound of Richmond comes to the series. The White Greyhound reflects a species of dog prominent throughout northern England. It was used as a badge by John of Gaunt, 1^st Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Richmond, and, most importantly, the third son of King Edward III. The greyhound was used by King Henry IV and later by King Henry VII, founder of the House of Tudor monarch. For the reverse field of 2021 White Greyhound Coins, you notice designs of:

• The White Greyhound stands on its hind legs with its front paws over a shield with the Tudor double rose. The double rose was adopted as a symbol of the union of the House of York and House of Lancaster following Henry VII’s success in the Wars of the Roses. One rose is surmounted within the other and the roses are crowned by the Imperial State Crown.

British Silver Shengxiao Series

Launched in 2014, the Shengxiao Series from the Royal Mint is an increasingly popular series celebrating the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Each year, the coins in the program feature the new animal in the Zodiac represent a particular year on the lunar calendar.

Coins released to date in the Shengxiao Series include the Year of the Horse, Year of the Goat, and Year of the Monkey Silver coins. All Royal Mint silver coins consist of .999 pure silver, with face values listed in Great British Pounds (£ GBP), and share common obverse imagery of Queen Elizabeth II’s right-profile image. Gold coins from the Royal Mint in this collection feature .9999 fine gold content.

Coins released prior to the 2016 year of issue in this collection feature Ian Rank-Broadley’s 1998 image of the Queen, while post-2016 coins have the new Jody Clark design released in 2015. All reverse designs in the Shengxiao Series from the Royal Mint were designed by British-Chinese artist Wuon-Gean Ho, and each one is completely unique from other lunar coin series produced at other mints around the globe. Currently, Silver.com has the following releases and designs available:

• 2016 British Silver Monkey Coin: On the reverse side of the 2016 1 oz. Silver British Monkey coin is the image of a pair of monkeys in a tree. In the foreground, one monkey is featured as it begins to leap from one branch to another, while the monkey in the background is hanging from a branch by its arms. Bears a face value of £2 (GBP) backed by the government of the United Kingdom. Ships to you in an individual plastic flip, Mint tubes of 25, or Monster Boxes of 500.
• 2017 British Silver Rooster Coin: The reverse side of each 2017 1 oz. Silver British Rooster Coin includes the unique Year of the Rooster design, and bears engravings that read “Year of the Rooster,” “2017,” and include the Chinese symbol for rooster. Ships in a plastic capsule, mint tube of 25, or sealed Monster Box of 500 coins. Face value of £2 (GBP) is fully backed by the United Kingdom.
• 2018 British Silver Dog Coin: For the reverse of the 2018 1 oz British Silver Dog Coin, the Royal Mint of England depicts a playful terrier species running through a field. It includes inscriptions of “Year of the Dog” along the top with the Chinese symbol for dog included in the design element above the rear of the dog.
• 2019 British Silver Pig Coin: The reverse side of the 2019 1 oz British Silver Pig Coin features one of the more complex design elements in the program’s history. A mother sow lays on the ground as five little piglets suckle for sustenance. This design includes a beautiful background image and in the distance, you’ll notice a sleepy cottage with smoke rising from the chimney as the hills roll off toward trees.
• 2020 British Silver Rat: On the reverse side of the British Silver Lunar Rat design for 2020, the Royal Mint features a single, solitary rat sitting amongst foliage, no doubt rummaging around for its next meal. However, the rat seems distracted by a possible threat as it lifts its head up in the air to sniff around.

British Music Legends Series

In 2020, the Royal Mint of England embarked on an exciting new gold and silver collection honoring music legends from Britain. Known as the British Music Legends Series, the collection offers a wide range of gold bullion and proof specimens, as well as silver proof, bullion, and silver-clad specimens. JM Bullion carries the 1/2 oz, 1 oz, and 2 oz silver proof designs as the primary option in each release. Designs available starting in 2020 include (in order):

• Queen: The first release honors the mega-hit rock band, Queen, with images that include a drum, keyboard, microphone and stand, and guitars. The musical instruments are meant to reflect the musical contributions of each of the four original members of Queen.
• Elton John: Arguably England’s greatest solo musician of the 20^th century, Elton John has been an active composer, singer, and songwriter since the 1960s. His contributions to music are as legendary as his contributions to society, the latter of which earned him a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. His style is something he is best known for, and the design of the Elton John release reflects that with his boater cap, musical-note sunglasses, and bowtie imposed over the Union Jack.

James Bond Series

Another milestone arrived in 2020 as the James Bond feature film franchise prepares to mark the release of the 25^th official feature film in the collection. Produced by Eon Productions, the release of No Time To Die is celebrated by mints around the globe with collections honoring the past and present of the series. The Royal Mint’s collection includes the following designs:

• Bond, James Bond: The opening design of the series features one of the first supercars used in the James Bond film franchise and comes with an inscription of the famous introductory line Bond characters often use in the films “Bond, James Bond.” The car in the design is in left-profile relief as it drives through the number “0” in “007.”
• Pay Attention 007: In the second release of the series, the Royal Mint features yet another of the cars made famous in the Bond franchise. This one is the Lotus Espirit that became known as the Wet Nellie because it was convertible into a submarine. Depicted on the reverse, the Lotus has its fins extended as it maneuvers silently beneath the waves. Inscriptions include “Pay Attention 007” and include “007” as separate, imposed letters dominating the visual field.

British Royal Arms Series

Introduced in 2019, the British Royal Arms Series is a very deliberate and direct representation of the Crown. The Royal Arms are carried by the monarch of England offer a direct representation of the monarch and the monarchy. The very first official Royal Arms of England was adopted by the second Plantagenet king, King Richard I, in 1198. The Three Lions was the lone Royal Arms until other nations came under the influence or direct control of the kingdom. Over time, elements representing France, Ireland, and Scotland were incorporated into ever-evolving versions of the shield. The modern design, as featured on the reverse of the British Royal Arms Series, includes the following elements:

• At the center of the design is the quartered shield of the Royal Arms with the individual coat of arms of each constituent nation of the modern United Kingdom. These include the Three Lions of England in the first and fourth quadrants, the Lion of Scotland in the second, and the Harp of Ireland (Northern Ireland) in the third. The Unicorn of Scotland supports the shield on the right, while the Lion of England supports it on the left. The shield is topped by the same crown featured on the head of the Lion of England, the State Imperial Crown.

The British Royal Arms Series comes in silver and gold options, with 1 oz and 1/4 oz gold coins available, as well as 1 oz and 10 oz silver coins. The 2019 release featured only 1 oz options in each metal, with the 1/4 oz gold and 10 oz silver coins added in 2020.

Landmark Series

In 2017, the Royal Mint embarked on a program to catalog some of the architectural splendor of the city of London, and the broader English realm. Known as the British Landmark Series, these 1 oz silver coins were released between 2017 and 2019, with one coin each in 2017 and 2019, and a dual release in 2018. The four designs included in this collection represent some of the most globally renowned images and places within England. The designs include the following:

• Big Ben: The debut design focuses on the clock tower known as Big Ben. The structure is officially known as Elizabeth Tower, with the term Big Ben applied to the clock within the tower itself. The tower was built in 1859 and a man named Sir Benjamin Hall oversaw its production, with many crediting the name of the clock “Big Ben” to Sir Benjamin.
• Tower Bridge: For the second release of the series, one of the most famous bridges traversing the River Thames in London is captured in the design of the coin. Tower Bridge is one of five such bridges over the Thames in London and is named for its iconic towers on either bank of the river. Completed in 1894, Tower Bridge sees more than 40,000 motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians cross over the Thames on its structure each day.
• Trafalgar Square: The second 2018 design and third overall in the collection features an image of a guardian lion near Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square. The square was opened to the public in 1844 with the added column in honor of Admiral Horatio Nelson, a hero of the Royal Navy during battles with French and Spanish forces in the Napoleonic Wars.
• Buckingham Palace: In the final design of the limited series, the Queen’s official residence in London is depicted with the image of Buckingham Palace. This coin design captures the East Front façade of the building. Buckingham Palace has a rich history dating to 1703 when it was a mere townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham to occupy while in London. During the reign of King George III, the residence came into the hands of the monarchy when it was expanded upon as a private residence for his wife, Queen Charlotte. The popular East Front was built during the expansion of the building in 1850, with further remodeling in 1913.

British Valiant Series

Another 2019 debut from the Royal Mint of England is the Valiant Series. One of the historic tales of Medieval England is that of St. George and his battle with a dragon. The story of St. George is not unique to England as it has been told throughout continental Europe from the Medieval Era onward. The story, as a result, does have several variations, but most center on a common story. St. George hears of a kingdom under duress at the hands of an evil, winged dragon. The dragon has demanded a sacrifice in the form of virgin women from the village on a daily basis. In return, he will not destroy the town.

Eventually, the village is down to only the daughter of the king and queen. It is at this moment of crisis that St. George arrives. He promises to ride out and meet the dragon to prevent the death of the princess. He is said to have defeated the dragon by slaying it with his sword. The British Valiant Series captures this with a reverse design of:

• George is mounted on horseback with a spear in his right hand and a shield bearing the Cross of St. Andrew upon it. As his horse rides down the dragon, St. George pierces its neck with the spear and defeats the beast.

The British Silver Valiant Coins are offered as Brilliant Uncirculated specimens with 1 oz silver the first weight offered in the collection, followed by the eventual addition of a 10 oz silver version.

Purchasing British Silver Coins from JM Bullion

If you have any questions about the British silver coins mentioned above, please feel free to ask. JM Bullion customer service is available to assist you at 800-276-6508, online using our live chat, and through our email address. For easy answers to common payment-related questions, please visit our Payment Methods FAQ. We encourage you to contact us if you need further clarification on any payment-related matters.