2002 Britannia Gold Proof 4 Coin Set Box Coa

In 2002 the Royal Mint released a special Limited Issue Britannia Gold Proof 4 Coin Set struck in solid 22 Carat Gold and are available in four denominations: £100, £50, £25 and £10.

The legendary figure of Britannia first appeared as a personification of the Roman province of Britain on a Roman Imperial Coin of the Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD).
She featured on the coinage of subsequent Roman Emperors for the next 150 years, making her final appearance on a Coin issued during the usurpation of Carausius (286-293 AD).

After a long interval of nearly fifteen hundred years, Britannia was re-introduced on the reverse of the Copper Halfpennies and Farthings of Charles II in 1672.
At this period, English coin designs were almost uniformly heraldic and for a time the new Britannia coppers were said to have been hoarded for their beauty.
For the next three centuries famous coin designers were inspired to feature Britannia in their designs.

Although she subtly altered her appearance to accommodate the styles and trends of the designers and artistic movements of the times, she remained fundamentally unchanged in character and form.
What distinguishes the latest Britannia from illustrious predecessors is the fact that the designer, Philip Nathan, has depicted his personification of Britain as a standing figure.

This upright pose is reminiscent of the much acclaimed design by the Royal Mint engraver G W De Saulles used on the Silver Florins of Edward VII between 1902 and 1910 and the Trade Dollar, first struck in 1895 for circulation in the Far East.
Although Philip Nathan has chosen to depict Britannia in an unfamiliar standing pose, she is nevertheless unmistakable as the personification of Britain.
It is this continuity of a time honoured traditional theme that will ensure popularity and rightful place amongst the Britannia's portrayed by eminent and renowned designers over the past 300 years.
The obverse portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II is designed by Ian Rank Broadley.
These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.

• Limited Mintage of 945 Sets Worldwide
• Finished to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid 22 Carat Gold
• Includes the £100, £50, £25, and £10 Britannia Gold Coins
• Royal Mint Boxed with Certificate of Authenticity (Cert Number Might be Different than Shown)