APMEX Partners with The Royal Mint to Give Away 500 Ounces of Silver

Enter for your chance to win a sealed Monster Box containing 500 of The Royal Mint's 2016 1 oz Silver Britannia bullion coins.

In continued celebration of The Queen's 90th birthday, The Royal Mint and APMEX announce the launch of The 2016 Great Britannia Monster Box Sweepstakes. The Queen's birthday was April 21 and for many around the world, she is the most popular U.K. monarch of all time. This sweepstakes will give away a total of 500 oz of Silver, in the form of The Royal Mint's 2016 1 oz Silver Britannia bullion coins, to one lucky winner. This is the most ounces of Silver APMEX has ever given away, valued at approximately $9,000 (USD)*.

"APMEX is thrilled to partner with The Royal Mint for this exclusive opportunity," APMEX Vice President of Merchandising Andrew Martineau said. "We love engaging with our APMEX community, and this sweepstakes is yet another unique way to reward our customers by offering the chance to win 500 ounces of one of the world's best-selling Silver bullion coins."

The 2016 Great Britannia Monster Box Sweepstakes begins May 2, 2016 and runs through May 22, 2016. To enter the sweepstakes, simply purchase any eligible Royal Mint 2016 Gold or Silver Britannia bullion coin from APMEX and you will automatically be entered. Visit here for more ways to enter and for official rules. One winner will be selected May 23, 2016 from all eligible entries received.

The Royal Mint, one of the world's leading manufacturers of coins and medals, held an exclusive Q&A session with APMEX for the 2016 Great Britannia Bullion Monster Box Sweepstakes.

Is The Royal Mint just as excited to be partnering with APMEX for this exclusive opportunity?

We are delighted to be working with APMEX on this exciting promotion and giving their customers the opportunity to receive a Monster Box containing 500 magnificent Silver 1 oz Royal Mint Britannia Bullion coins.

Tell us more about the legendary image of Britannia. What does she represent? When was the design first created?

Britannia has a long history with Britain and its coinage. She is the embodiment of the nation she has represented for almost 2,000 years, ever since the Romans invaded the isles and claimed them as the province of Britannia. She first appeared on the Roman coins of Emperor Hadrian circa AD 119 and was revived for the coinage of Charles II in 1672.

When Gold Britannia coins were added to The Royal Mint's Bullion portfolio in 1987, in response to a growing global bullion market, Philip Nathan created an interpretation of Britannia that was perfect for the new coins. He presented the icon with a strong maritime influence, standing windswept in a classical gown, waves at her feet, with a trident, shield and olive branch in hand – instantly recognizable in an international market, the modern face of British bullion and a symbol of strength and tradition.

First struck in Gold in 1987, and in Silver beginning in 1997, the Britannia bullion coin became an instant classic – today it marks a flagship coin of The Royal Mint. Philip Nathan's craftsmanship reimagined an instantly recognizable icon. His Britannia is commanding and powerful, yet feminine, peaceful and elegant. She still endures more than 25 years later.

In 2013, the quality of Gold Britannia bullion coins was enhanced even further, redefined to 999.9 Gold. For 2015, we released new fractional Gold Britannia bullion coins for those looking for versatility in their bullion portfolio. Now for 2016, The Royal Mint's Britannia range features the fifth definitive portrait of Her Majesty The Queen that has been designed by Royal Mint engraver, Jody Clark. Britannia bullion coins are renowned for their beauty and reliability, with their weight and quality verified at the centuries-old annual Trial of the Pyx.

What sets Britannia apart from other sovereign Gold and Silver coins?

The Britannia bullion coin was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1987 in order to satisfy global demand for UK bullion coins offering exactly one ounce of ﬁne Gold and Silver.

Now in their 25th year, these precious coins continue to play a key role in global bullion markets, as well as representing both the pride and the probity of the United Kingdom across the world.

A new specification Royal Mint Britannia bullion 1 oz Gold (99.99% purity) and Silver (99.9% purity) coin has been devised, creating a more refined product.

The Queen's effigy was recently updated by talented designer Jody Clark. What can you tell us about this new design?

It is only the fifth definitive coin portrait to have been created during The Queen's reign, and the first new effigy since 1998.

It has been designed by Jody Clark, the youngest of the five designers who have created the portraits of The Queen for UK circulating coins during her 63-year reign.

The 2015 portrait shows a side profile of The Queen wearing a crown and drop earrings. Her first coin portrait, issued in 1953, depicted the monarch wearing a wreath of laurel, which was thought to reflect the country's optimism as it greeted a new queen in the post-Second World War era.

Chief engraver at The Royal Mint Gordon Summers described the design task as "probably one of the most difficult things for any artist or sculptor to do."

Clark, the designer, said: "I really liked the four previous coin portraits – each one is strong in its own way."

"I hope that I've done Her Majesty justice and captured her as I intended, in a fitting representation. The news that my design had been chosen was quite overwhelming, and I still can't quite believe that my royal portrait will be featured on millions of coins, playing a small part in The Royal Mint's 1,000-year history."

He said his top priority was to create an "accurate" representation of the Queen.

He added: "I'm really happy with how it's turned out. I can only hope everyone appreciates it."

On April 21, The Queen celebrated a milestone birthday. What all was included in your celebrations?

The Royal Mint's Royal themes are always popular, unsurprisingly, since it is the organization that has been manufacturing coins for the kings and queens of Britain for over 1,000 years. The occasion of Her Majesty The Queen's 90th Birthday is a very special time for celebration for The Royal Mint, which has brought out a range of commemorative coins celebrate the occasion with the nation.

What is The Royal Mint looking forward to over the forthcoming year?

As the world's leading export mint and Britain's oldest manufacturing organization, this is a very exciting time in The Royal Mint's history. In May 2016 it is to throw open its doors to visitors at its site in Llantrisant, South Wales, UK, with the launch of The Royal Mint Experience – a purpose built visitor center – allowing the 1,000 year old organization to engage with collectors and the general public. There's a wealth of fascinating stories to be revealed, and a visit to The Royal Mint Experience includes a behind-the-scenes guided factory tour and visitors can even choose to strike their own coin.

Happy Birthday to Britannia and The Sovereign

In 2017, we are looking forward to celebrating some very special anniversaries:

Gold Britannia – 30 years since the Gold Britannia was introduced

Silver Britannia – 20 years since Silver Britannia was introduced

The Sovereign - Benedetto Pistrucci's St. George and the dragon design will be an incredible 200 years old in 2017. When it was created for the Gold sovereign of 1817, the intention was to make the coin as distinctive as possible – and I think all would agree the legendary Royal Mint Engraver certainly achieved that. I wonder what Pistrucci would have thought had he known that we are still appreciating his iconic design on The Royal Mint's flagship Sovereign coin 200 years later?

Don't miss your opportunity to enter for a chance to win a sealed 500-coin Monster Box containing .999 fine Royal Mint 2016 1 oz Silver Britannia bullion coins. Lock in your 2016 Gold and or 2016 Silver Britannia bullion purchase from APMEX today to be automatically entered.

About APMEX, Inc.

For more than 15 years, APMEX has been one of the nation's largest Precious Metals e-retailers. Boasting over $6.5 billion in transactions, APMEX was recently ranked the #1 Specialty E-Retailer and #42 out of 500 e-retailers by Internet Retailer Magazine. APMEX has the largest selection of bullion and numismatic items provided by a retailer, boasting more than 10,000 products. Product offerings include all U.S. Mint bullion such as Gold, Silver and Platinum American Eagle coins. APMEX also sells products from leading mints around the world including The Royal Mint, Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint and many others. APMEX is a member of the American Numismatic Association, the International Precious Metals Institute and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. For additional information, visit www.APMEX.com or call (800) 375-9006.