Britannia (Coin)
Definition
The Britannia is a gold bullion coin from the United Kingdom’s Royal Mint, struck at .9999 fineness since 2013. For UK residents it is exempt from Capital Gains Tax because it is legal tender.
Named for the figure of Britannia on its reverse, the coin is the Royal Mint’s principal gold bullion offering.
Why it matters
The Britannia combines high purity with a tax feature that matters to UK buyers. As a UK legal tender coin, gains on the Britannia are free of Capital Gains Tax for UK residents, which can affect how investors there compare it to foreign coins.
In practice
Britannia coins minted from 2013 onward are .9999 fine; earlier issues used a 22-karat alloy. The one-ounce coin contains one troy ounce of pure gold. Newer coins also carry security features, including surface detailing that shifts in appearance and helps confirm authenticity.
Common confusion
The Capital Gains Tax exemption applies to UK residents under UK tax rules. It does not transfer to buyers in other countries, who remain subject to their own local tax treatment regardless of the coin’s UK legal-tender status.