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.

History of the Royal Mint

Today, the Royal Mint remains one of the foremost facilities in the world. The most popular product from the mint is the sovereign Britannia coin. On the reverse face of each coin is the image of the mythical Britannia, a goddess from Roman times who was believed to have watched over the nation. She is featured on each Silver Britannia coin with a trident in one hand and a shield bearing the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom, her eyes constantly fixed on the English Channel separating the British Isles from mainland Europe.

Originally founded as the London Mint in 886, the British Royal Mint is one of the oldest operating facilities in the world. Throughout its history, the Royal Mint has produced some of the most widely used coins in the world, due in large part to the size and scope of the former British Empire. Coins from the Royal Mint were once used from North America to Europe, Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

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.

Each British Silver Britannia Coin with a gilded finish has a beautiful, 24-karat gold layering applied to the image of Britannia. This is applied only to the reverse side of the coin, where you’ll find Britannia’s figure holding a shield with the Union Jack flag on it to guard the seas and a trident in her right hand to ward off invaders.

The obverse of these British Silver Britannia Coin includes the latest effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty has featured on the obverse of British coinage since her ascension to the throne in 1952, and this is the latest update to her portrait. Created in 2015 by Jody Clark, it now appears on all British currency. No gilded finish is applied to Her Majesty’s effigy.

All British Silver Britannia gilded coins in this offering are in BU condition. Coins in this condition exhibit no signs of wear and tear, though you may notice a range of minor flaws including breaks in the luster, spotted surfaces, or contact marks from the coining process.

The Colorized British Silver Britannia coin has magnificent full color finishes added to the reverse design of the coin. Britannia herself remains clad in a brilliant silver robe, while the red, white, and blue colors of the Union Jack flag on her shield have been brought to life.

Her Corinthian helmet has a beautiful gold color while her brown locks of hair blow in the breeze against a backdrop of blue. British Silver Britannia coins honor the historical belief in Britannia, a goddess who protected the British Isles from all invaders.

On the reverse of Colorized British Silver Britannia coins you’ll find that magnificent image of Britannia, with all the colorized features mentioned above included in this iconic image of British culture. The obverse image of Her Majesty remains, with no colorization added to her depiction.

All colorized and gilded Silver Britannia coins are originally produced by the Royal Mint. These limited-edition coins, 5,000 in total, are available courtesy of Emporium Hamburg. The third-party authorized dealer in Germany added the colorized and gilded applications to the coins’ reverse fields.

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.

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 of toward trees.

Purchasing British Silver Coins Online from JM Bullion

For those buying silver, JM Bullion makes it easy to pay for your silver bars or British Silver Coins by accepting a variety of payment methods. JM Bullion accepts major credit/debit cards, paper checks, PayPal transfers, Bitcoin, ACH, and bank wire transfers. PayPal and bank wire transfer process immediately, while credit/debit cards process in one business day on average. Paper checks and ACH take as many as six business days to process.

JM Bullion proudly offers free standard shipping and insurance on all purchases over $99. If you’d like to upgrade to expedited shipping, it is available for an extra charge. All products are packaged and shipped in discreet boxes, and in the event your shipment is lost or damaged we’re here to help. We’ll work to secure a replacement product for you, or provide a full refund of your purchase price.

If you have any questions for a JM Bullion associate regarding British Silver Coins, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re available at 800-276-6508, online using our live web chat feature, and via email. Don’t forget to visit our website to track spot silver prices throughout the day!