1997 Gold Britannia Proof SetGold Britannias were first issued in 1987, including proofs. Britannia proof sets have been issued every year since 1987.From 1990, the mintage for the 4 coin sets has been very low. For the patient collector, many of the older sets which we offer represent a very good deal as they are at considerable savings compared with purchasing the current year's set direct from the Royal Mint. New Britannia Design - Driving ChariotIn 1997, for the tenth anniversary of the gold Britannia coins, a special design was created, showing Britannia driving a chariot, in the style of Boudicca (Boudicea). This year is the only date issued using this design, making it a rather special year for the collector of Britannia coins.Tenth AnniversaryIn 1997 the Royal Mint issued a strictly limited number of four-coin Britannia gold proof collections, which contain £10, £25, £50, and £100 pieces. Only 1,500 complete sets were authorised for worldwide distribution. It appears that these sets failed to sell as well as the Mint had hoped, as the actual mintage figure was only 892 sets, making this set quite scarce, and one of the most sought after years.To mark the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the gold Britannia coins, the Royal Mint commissioned a new reverse design for 1997. Having submitted an impressive selection of drawings for his original 1987 design, eminent sculptor Philip Nathan was asked to develop one of them further for the celebratory issue. This drawing he transformed into a beautiful plaster model approved by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee and now gracing the reverse of these special coins. The Mint also introduced silver Britannias in the same year, 1997. Strength and DignityPhilip Nathan has explained that his image of Britannia was intended to complement the original, being designed to be very much a pair. Reflecting a belief that Britannia should visibly represent qualities of strength and dignity, as well as continuing her long and distinguished association with the sea, Philip Nathan's new dramatic design features the majestic figure of Britannia standing proud and bold in her chariot being drawn along the seashore by two mighty horses.The obverses of the four gold Britannia coins continue to feature the elegant portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Raphael Maklouf. In keeping with the previous Britannia gold coins the attractive crenellated rim surrounding the inscription on both the obverse and the reverse has been retained. More about Mintages & Issue LimitsIn addition to the 1,500 issue limit for the complete sets, the one ounce, quarter ounce and tenth ounce proof coins were available separately, with issue limits of 1,000 one ounce, 2,500 quarter ounce, and 5,000 tenth ounce coins. Again, these did not sell particularly well at the time, the actual issued quantities being 164, 923, and 1821 pieces respectively. There were no half ounce proofs issued separately.Complete Proof Britannia Sets
Prices & Availability
Postage & PackingUK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per orderEU Insured Post £10 per order USA Airmail $10, Insured Shipping $20 Canada Airmail $15, Insured Shipping via Fedex $60
1997 One Ounce Proof Britannias
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Obverse of 1997 Gold Proof One Ounce BritanniaOther Britannia Proof Sets
Reverse of 1997 Proof Gold One Ounce Britannia
1997 Gold Proof Britannia Set in Presentation Box |
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