One of the most eagerly awaited coins to be released every year, the proof Britannia has been home to some quite sublime designs since it debuted. The gold Britannia bullion coin first launched in 1987 and the silver in 1997, so 2017 represents a double anniversary that was always going to be marked on this release. To do so, the Royal Mint has employed a mintmark in the shape of a trident, something synonymous with the figure of Britannia.

An enhanced mix of coins this year totalling up to seventeen variants. Eight silver, eight gold and a solitary platinum coin make up the range, ranging in size from a 1/40 oz up to 30 oz. There are a couple of unusual new sizes here. There’s no kilo silver, something the Royal Mint sells for around £2,050 on other designs, but there is a 20 oz design filling the hole. Selling for £1,650, this seems to be a pricey alternative, coming in at £82.50 per oz compared to £64. Likewise the kilo gold used elsewhere has been replaced with a 30 oz variant, although the price here is ballpark per oz with the kilo. Seems strange to move away from metric when the market will inevitably move in the opposite direction.

New this year is a ¼oz platinum coin. A great addition to the range, we do have to note the high price, however. Selling for £495, he equivalent gold coin retails £445. Given that gold has been hovering around the £960 per oz mark and platinum at just £710 (seriously, what the hell happened to platinum?), it’s an anomaly worth pointing out. The Royal Mint have never been a hawker of cheap wares, but the platinum coin seems out of whack even amidst the range itself.

As for the design by Louis Tamlyn, we personally love it. We feel it best to mix up the artistic style from year to year and this is a striking and unusual one that works well. The flow from figure to map is beautifully done and it all looks very dynamic and modern. Obviously a matter of personal taste, we’ve got no complaints here. All are available to buy now and you can see mintages and options further down. We should have some much better images shortly.