New or Best Value gold Britannias?
Physical Gold stocks both new and pre-owned Gold Britannias.
New Britannias allow buyers to purchase the latest Royal Mint issue, while Best Value coins are pre-owned Britannias selected from available stock rather than by a particular year.
For investors whose priority is obtaining physical gold rather than owning a specific year’s coin, Best Value 1oz Gold Britannias can offer a lower-premium option.
Older Britannias can also differ from modern coins in their composition. Britannias issued from 1987 to 2012 were produced from 22-carat gold, while coins issued from 2013 onwards are made from 999.9 fine, 24-carat gold. Both contain the stated quantity of pure gold for their denomination.
Gold Britannias and Capital Gains Tax
One of the main attractions of Gold Britannias for UK investors is their tax treatment.
Qualifying investment gold is exempt from VAT in the UK. Gold Britannias also have British legal-tender status, meaning gains made on them are exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents.
This can be particularly relevant when comparing Britannias with gold bars or overseas bullion coins, where CGT may apply when an investor sells at a gain.
For more information, read our guide to the tax implications of investing in gold and silver. + Read more
Gold Britannias or gold Sovereigns?
Gold Britannias and Gold Sovereigns are two of the most widely recognised British investment gold coins. Both are VAT-free and exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents, but there are important differences.
A modern 1oz Britannia is made from 999.9 fine, 24-carat gold and contains 31.103g of pure gold. A full Sovereign is a much smaller 22-carat coin containing approximately 7.32g of pure gold.
The larger Britannia can provide a lower premium per gram, while the smaller Sovereign can provide greater divisibility because more individual coins can be purchased for the same overall value.
If you are deciding between them, our Insights section provides further information on Gold Britannias and Gold Sovereigns.
Understanding gold Britannia premiums
The price of a Gold Britannia is based on the value of the gold it contains plus a premium.
The premium reflects factors such as minting, distribution, coin size, availability and market demand. As a general rule, a 1oz Britannia will have a lower premium per gram than smaller fractional Britannias.
The premium can also differ between new and pre-owned coins. Investors who do not require a particular year may therefore wish to compare current-year Britannias with Best Value options.
Read our guide to gold coin premiums for a more detailed explanation of how premiums affect the price you pay.
How much is a gold Britannia worth?
The value of a Gold Britannia is closely linked to the amount of pure gold it contains and the current gold price.
A modern 1oz Britannia contains 31.103g of pure gold, so movements in the underlying gold price will have a direct effect on its bullion value. The price at which an individual coin is bought or sold will also reflect its premium and prevailing market conditions.
You can check the underlying live gold price in pounds sterling and see how the gold price has changed over time.
Delivery and secure storage
Gold Britannias purchased from Physical Gold can be delivered using our free, fully insured UK delivery service.
Alternatively, customers who would prefer not to keep their coins at home can choose specialist secure vault storage.
Find out more about Gold Britannia delivery and secure storage.
Why buy gold Britannias from Physical Gold?
Physical Gold is a specialist precious-metals dealer based in London’s Hatton Garden and an authorised Royal Mint distributor.
We stock a wide selection of Gold Britannias, including current Royal Mint issues, fractional coins, Best Value Britannias and larger quantities for investors looking to purchase multiple coins.
Our team can help if you have questions about Britannia sizes, premiums or choosing between Britannias and other forms of physical gold.
For assistance, call 020 7060 9992 or email info@physicalgold.com.
