Last year the Royal Mint made the decision to de-couple its proof and bullion Britannia ranges. Up until 2012 the proof Britannia was merely a high-quality proof-finish version of the design that adorned the bullion coin. The artwork changed on a semi-regular basis, alternating between the classic design that now permanently sits on the 2013/14 bullion coin, and a unique design, often quite superb, all of which are visible on our Britannia silver bullion guide.

For 2013 the Royal Mint satiated the appetites of proof coin collectors with a completely different design from the bullion that despite high prices was popular, no doubt due to the superb artwork. This year they’ve not only exceeded the high standard of last years artwork, they may just have released the most beautiful design in the Britannias history to date.

Following on from Robert Hunt’s 2013 Grecian Britannia, this year’s elegant yet powerful interpretation by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark features an art deco Britannia, standing proudly in front of a three-dimensional globe, accompanied by a lion, its tail draped protectively around her feet. Available in gold and silver, and in seven different sizes, most of them are only available in sets, something at which the Royal Mint excels.