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British Coins

Collectors looking for long, rich histories are sure to appreciate coins from Great Britain. British coins are primarily struck at the sovereign The Royal Mint, although the Pobjoy Mint strikes coins for some of the country’s overseas territories. Historic British coinage, such as the Gold Britannia and the Gold Sovereign, and more modern U.K. coins, such as the Tudor Beasts and Myths and Legends series, provide a combination of variety and quality that are virtually unparalleled. Keep reading to learn more about what British coins can offer your collection and to browse our assortment of British coins from The Royal Mint and beyond.

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 Lion and the Eagle coin.

Where Are British Coins Minted?

British coins are minted by The Royal Mint, one of the world’s oldest institutions with a history spanning over 1,100 years. The Royal Mint has been based out of Llantrisant, South Wales for the past 50 years. However, for a significant portion of its history, beginning in 1279, it was located in the Tower of London.

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 through the Gold Sovereign, one of Britain’s most enduring coins, often referred to as the “chief coin of the world” for its widespread circulation across Britain’s territories. This iconic coin was first struck in 1489 during the reign of Henry VII to help establish the authority of the Tudor dynasty. The Sovereign remained in use through successive reigns before disappearing from circulation in the early 17th century. It was revived in 1817 with Benedetto Pistrucci’s iconic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon on the reverse, a design which is now synonymous with the series. For a brief period, the reverse carried the British Royal Arms starting in 1825, but under the reign of Queen Victoria, Pistrucci’s design would return to the series and has appeared on Sovereigns struck for every monarch since. 2026 notably marks 500 years since St. George, the patron saint of England, debuted on British coinage.

The Gold Sovereign’s place in history and popular culture has endured through the modern era. It is widely regarded as a cornerstone of many collections. The Royal Mint continues to strike this series today, now featuring King Charles III on the obverse.

The First Silver Sovereign

While for its 536-year-old history, the British Sovereign was struck solely in gold, in 2025, the Royal Mint released its first-ever Silver Sovereign in a Proof finish, featuring the same weight and diameter as its gold counterpart. The Silver Sovereign will return in 2026 for the second time ever, indicating this new composition could become part of The Royal Mint’s annual lineup.

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.