Buy Gold Britannia Coins
The gold Britannia is The Royal Mint’s bullion coin, first issued in 1987. Since 2013 it has been struck in 999.9 fine (24 carat) gold, in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz and 1/10 oz sizes. The gold Britannia price follows the live gold price. Britannias are VAT-free and, as UK legal tender, free of Capital Gains Tax.
Gold Britannias for sale
- 1 oz gold Britannia (2014–2025)
- 1 oz King Charles gold Britannia
- 1 oz gold Britannia (pre-2013, 22 carat)
- 1/2 oz gold Britannia
- 1/4 oz gold Britannia
- 1/10 oz gold Britannia
Britannia gold coin specification
| Size | Fine gold | Purity | Face value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz (2013 onwards) | 31.10g (1 troy oz) | 999.9 (24 carat) | £100 |
| 1/2 oz | 15.55g | 999.9 (24 carat) | £50 |
| 1/4 oz | 7.77g | 999.9 (24 carat) | £25 |
| 1/10 oz | 3.11g | 999.9 (24 carat) | £10 |
| 1 oz (1987–2012) | 31.10g (1 troy oz) | 916.7 (22 carat) | £100 |
All sizes and years are VAT-free investment gold and exempt from Capital Gains Tax as UK legal tender.
How the gold Britannia price is worked out
A Britannia’s price is its gold content multiplied by the live gold price, plus a premium for minting and handling. If gold is £3,000 per ounce, the gold in a 1 oz Britannia is worth about £3,000, in a 1/4 oz coin about £750 and in a 1/10 oz coin about £300. The price you pay is a little above the gold value and the price you receive when you sell is a little below it.
Which Britannia size should you buy?
The 1 oz Britannia gives you the most gold for your money, because the premium over the gold price is lowest per gram. Smaller coins cost more per gram but are easier to buy in small amounts and let you sell part of your holding. Many first-time buyers start with a few 1/10 oz or 1/4 oz coins and move to 1 oz coins as their holding grows.
Are gold Britannia coins a good investment?
For UK buyers, the Britannia combines 24 carat purity with two tax advantages: no VAT when you buy and no Capital Gains Tax when you sell. It is one of the most widely traded bullion coins in the world, so it is easy to sell. Like all gold, it pays no income and its value moves with the gold price, which can fall as well as rise, so it suits long-term savers rather than short-term trading.
Is the Britannia legal tender?
Yes. Gold Britannias are UK legal tender with face values from £10 to £100. Nobody spends them, because the gold is worth far more than the face value, but legal tender status is what makes them exempt from Capital Gains Tax.
Pre-2013 and current Britannias
Britannias struck from 1987 to 2012 are 22 carat gold but still contain one full troy ounce of gold. From 2013 the coin moved to 999.9 fine gold. Both versions are valued on their gold content.
Current Britannias carry security features to deter counterfeits, including a latent image that switches between a padlock and a trident when the coin is tilted. Coins issued from 2023 carry the portrait of King Charles III.
Gold Britannia, sovereign or Krugerrand?
- Britannia: 24 carat, one ounce or less, UK legal tender, so free of Capital Gains Tax.
- Sovereign: 22 carat, about a quarter of an ounce, also free of Capital Gains Tax. See our gold sovereigns.
- Krugerrand: South African bullion coin. It is not UK legal tender, so profits can be liable to Capital Gains Tax for UK residents.
The gold Britannia in brief
The Royal Mint launched the gold Britannia in 1987. It moved from 22 carat to 24 carat gold in 2013, has since gained anti-counterfeit security features, and has carried the portrait of King Charles III since 2023.
Selling gold Britannias
We buy gold Britannias of all sizes and dates at prices linked to the day’s gold price. See what we pay to sell gold Britannias, or go straight to a coin:
Gold Britannia FAQs
How much is a gold Britannia worth?
A 1 oz gold Britannia is worth roughly one ounce of gold at today’s price. Smaller sizes are worth their share of an ounce. Collector and proof versions can be worth more.
Why do smaller Britannias cost more per gram?
Minting, packaging and handling cost much the same for a small coin as for a large one, so that cost is spread over less gold. That is why a 1/10 oz Britannia carries a higher premium per gram than a 1 oz coin.
Are gold Britannias VAT-free?
Yes. Gold Britannias are investment gold, so no VAT is charged when you buy them in the UK.
Where can I sell my gold Britannia?
You can sell Britannias of any size or year to us. Check today’s price on our sell gold coins page and contact us to arrange the sale.
Get in touch
Call Gold Investments on 020 7283 7752 or send us a message with any questions about buying or selling gold coins.