British Coins

What Are British Coins Called?

Prior to 1971, British coins were traditionally called pounds, shillings, and pence, with a pound divided into 20 shillings, a shilling into 12 pennies, and a penny into two halfpennies or four farthings, totaling 240 pennies in a pound. Since the currency system was decimalized in 1971, British coins are called penny (or pence) as well as pound sterling, depending on the coin’s denomination. Today, UK coins come in the following denominations: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2.

Outside of circulating British currency, there are also multiple collectible British coin series, such as Gold Britannia coins, Gold Sovereign coins, Queen’s Beasts coins, Una and the Lion coins, and the new Lion and the Eagle coin.

The Royal Mint

The Royal Mint boasts a history of over 1,100 years and traces its origins to 1279 when England’s mints were unified in the Tower of London. The Mint remained there until it moved across the street in 1810. It later moved to Llantrisant, Wales, in 1967, where it remains in modern times. Today, the Mint continues to strike British coins and medals for both collectors and for circulation, not just for Britain but for other countries as well. Notable contributions beyond those listed above include the medals for the 2012 London Olympics and the production of limited edition coins from the shipwreck of the SS Gairsoppa.

GovMint is proud to partner with The Royal Mint as the official distributor of the new British coin, The Lion and the Eagle, a landmark issue that feature the first collaboration between The Royal Mint and famed American artist and former Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, John Mercanti.

To learn more about this renowned mint, be sure to check out our Complete Guide to The Royal Mint! 

The Britannia

The Britannia struck in both silver and gold, is the primary bullion series released by The Royal Mint and is also issued annually as a collector’s proof coin. While a few design changes have premiered over the years, the basic concept remains the same. The obverse carries a portrait of the current reigning monarch. From the beginning of the series until 2023, an effigy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was used. Beginning in 2023, the series transitioned to the effigy of His Royal Majesty, King Charles III.  Meanwhile, the reverse depicts Britannia, an allegorical female representation of the United Kingdom. 

The Gold Britannia was first issued in 1987, with the silver variety following in 1997. While a lesser fineness was used in the early years of both respective issues, since 2013, the Britannia is struck from 99.99% pure gold and the Silver Britannia is struck from 99.9% pure silver. Don’t miss out on this tradition of excellence.

How Old Is the Britannia Coin?

Britannia herself has been featured on British coinage for over 350 years, appearing on the British penny and other British coins throughout the centuries. As for the Britannia bullion coins, the Britannia Gold Coin was first issued in 1987, with the Britannia Silver Coin following ten years later in 1997.

Queen’s Beasts Series

The Royal Mint implemented the Queen’s Beasts series in 2016. Issued in gold, silver, platinum, and cupro-nickel, the ten-coin set celebrates the ten creatures that were present in statue form at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The first release of the series, issued in 2016, featured the Lion of England, while the final release of the series, issued in 2021, featured the White Greyhound of Richmond. In 2021, a capstone release dubbed the Completer coin, which featured all ten designs in the series, was also issued for avid fans of the series.  One of the most popular issues in the series was the Unicorn of Scotland, a particularly poignant issue given the country’s push for independence.  

Many collectors find themselves attracted to this series not just for its stunning and changing designs but also because it allowed them to complete a diverse set within just a few years.

The Lion and The Eagle

The Lion and The Eagle is a new proof coin marks the first collaboration between The Royal Mint and John Mercanti, America’s distinguished coin designer and 12th Chief Engraver for the U.S. Mint. These British coins represent the unity between our two great nations, emblematic in the coin’s reverse design by Mercanti, showcasing Britain’s Noble Lion and America’s majestic Bald Eagle, with His Majesty King Charles III on the coin’s obverse as originally designed by Martin Jennings. 

As a symbol, the Lion represents strength, courage, and nobility throughout British history, often featured in the Coat of Arms for many noble houses and royalty. As for America, the Bald Eagle has long been a symbol of freedom, strength, and survival. 

As the official distributor of these U.K. coins, GovMint offers both gold and silver versions of The Lion and the Eagle coin. Struck in 99.99% gold and 99.99% fine silver, these English coins are available in six denominations, each with extremely small mintages.

Una and The Lion

The historic Una and The Lion coin, a gold Five-Sovereign piece, was meant to commemorate Queen Victoria’s reign nearly 200 years ago. Originally intended for collector sets dating back to 1839, these sets were actually delayed until 1843. Designed by William Wyon RA during the Golden Age of The Royal Mint, the Una and The Lion coins draw inspiration from the poem “The Faerie Queen” by Edmund Spenser, which features the beautiful Una who befriends a ferocious Lion. For this coin, Una represents Queen Victoria, with the Lion representing the British people. This bold choice was the first time that a fictional character was used to represent a monarch in British coinage. 

For the revival of this iconic and celebrated coin, The Royal Mint has worked tirelessly, using the original die from Wyon’s era, which has been preserved and stored at The Royal Mint Museum. Using digital technology, The Royal Mint’s craftsmen were able to enhance the details of the original design while also removing any historical blemishes. The new dies are then cut and hand-polished before striking. The precision of modern-day machinery enhances the striking process, allowing for a greater finish than ever before. The result is the perfect homage to Wyon’s original design, perfected and enhanced for the modern age. 

Tower of London Series

Another premier series from The Royal Mint that carries a lot of cultural and historical significance is the Tower of London series. The Tower of London series started in 2019 and is a five-coin series that features prominent imagery associated with the cultural icon that is the Tower of London. From the Crown Jewels to the Guardian Ravens and the Yeoman Wanders, these British coins capture the history of the Tower of London and allow you to bring a small piece of that tradition home to your collection.

The Gold Sovereign

The history of The Royal Mint can be experienced with the Gold Sovereign. This coin was originally made in 1489 but quickly fell out of circulation until 1817, when King James I brought it back. This British coin has, in many respects, been the backbone of the British Empire by allowing the various territories to trade both amongst themselves as well as with other nations. It is such a big part of British culture that this coin still frequently appears in movies and television. Its design features the reigning monarch of the time on its obverse and the famous imagery of St. George triumphing over the dragon.

Shop British Coins at GovMint

GovMint is the premier destination for collectors seeking British coins, embodying "The Best Source for Coins Worldwide®." Our dedication is evident in our vast selection of modern and historic coins from leading global government mints, including an extensive array of British coins from The Royal Mint. Thanks to our partnership with The Royal Mint as the official distributor of The Lion and The Eagle coin series, you can trust that all of our British coins are authentic.

Our A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau assures customers of our commitment to trustworthiness and exceptional service.  GovMint has established itself as one of the United States' largest distributors of historic and collectible coins, making it an unmatched resource for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the hobby.