Queen\'s Beasts / Britannia Lunar
Also: Queen\'s Beasts, King\'s Beasts, Royal Mint Bullion, GB Lunar
Collective term for British bullion coin series from the Royal Mint, issued in themed editions that combine investment value with high collector potential.
The Royal Mint in the United Kingdom has been striking coins of the highest quality for centuries. Its modern bullion programmes – above all the Britannia, the Queen's Beasts and the British Lunar series – today rank among the most sought-after bullion coins in the world. The current gold price and silver price should be compared before every purchase, as the premium (agio) varies considerably depending on the series and motif.
Britannia
The Britannia has been issued in gold since 1987 and in silver since 1997. The gold coin was originally struck at 916.7 ‰ (22 karat); from 2013 the fineness is 999.9 ‰ (fine gold). The silver version reaches 999 ‰. The iconic motif depicts the personified Britannia – the national symbol of Great Britain. Available denominations:
| Weight | Fine weight (gold) | Ø approx. (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 31.10 g | 32.7 |
| 1/2 oz | 15.55 g | 27.0 |
| 1/4 oz | 7.78 g | 22.0 |
| 1/10 oz | 3.11 g | 16.5 |
Britannia coins are legal tender in the United Kingdom. In Germany: gold Britannias are exempt from VAT as investment gold under §25c UStG; after a holding period of one year, any gain on disposal is tax-free under §23 EStG. For silver Britannias, 19% VAT normally applies; when purchased through dealers using the margin scheme, differential taxation may apply. This is not individual tax advice.
Queen's Beasts (2016–2021)
The Queen's Beasts series comprises ten heraldic beasts that stood as sculptures at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Each motif was struck as a 2-ounce silver coin and a 1-ounce gold coin:
- Lion of England (2016)
- Griffin of Edward III (2017)
- Red Dragon of Wales (2017)
- Unicorn of Scotland (2018)
- Black Bull of Clarence (2018)
- Falcon of the Plantagenets (2019)
- White Lion of Mortimer (2019)
- White Horse of Hanover (2020)
- White Greyhound of Richmond (2020)
- Yale of Beaufort (2021)
The series is complete – all ten motifs have been struck. Complete sets frequently command significant premiums over metal value on the secondary market. The coin weight checker allows the gross weight of individual coins to be quickly verified.
British Lunar Series
Analogous to the better-known Australian Lunar series from the Perth Mint, the Royal Mint has issued an annual Lunar coin bearing the Chinese zodiac sign of the respective year since 2014. The fineness is 999.9 ‰ in gold and 999 ‰ in silver. Mintage is limited, which supports the collector value over the long term.
Melt value (gold, 1 oz) = Fine weight (31.1035 g) × current gold price per gram
In Brief
Britannia, Queen's Beasts and British Lunars are first-class bullion coins with internationally recognised fineness and high liquidity. Those wishing to combine investment value with collector potential will find attractive options here – the respective premium over the spot price should always be factored in.