This 2-pound Britannia silver coin is the largest and purest UK legal tender coin. The British silver Britannia bullion coin contains one ounce of fine silver at .999 purity. When the Romans began their conquest of the British Isles, the island of Britain was known as the province of Britannia. It took the Romans two centuries to fully pacify the island’s native inhabitants, after which time the term Britannia came to be associated with a personification of a goddess guarding over the isles.

Starting in 1987, the Royal Mint released a series of bullion coins featuring the famed image of Britannia as the primary design. These coins launched that year with a gold version, and the Silver Britannia was issued a decade later in 1997. When the British Silver Britannia was first released in 1997, it featured .958 pure silver content. That continued through 2012, with all 2013-present coins feature .999 pure silver instead.

On the obverse of all 1 oz British Silver Britannia coins you’ll find the right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. However, depending upon the year of issue you receive in this listing you’ll find a different design. The first year of issue in 1997 was the one and only to feature the third-generation effigy of Her Majesty. Created by Raphael Maklouf, it was in circulation from 1985 to 1997.

Silver Britannias issued from 1998 to 2015 included the fourth-generation design from Ian Rank-Broadley. The latest design, created in mid-2015 by Royal Mint Engraver Jody Clark, is available on some 2015 coins and all 2016-present issues in the Britannia range.

The reverse of all British Silver Britannia Coins includes the image of Britannia. The protector of Britain and the British Isles, she wears a Corinthian cap, wields control over the seas with her trident, and has a shield bearing the Union Jack upon it to guard against invasion.