Coins and the Sea - Britannia
Britain is a maritime nation that has been shaped by the sea and the same is true about our coinage. Explore highlights from the second episode of the Royal Mint Museum's podcast.
Elizabeth II Fifty Pence (1969) by The Royal Mint and Christopher IronsideThe Royal Mint Museum
Britannia
From pub signs to punk art, the robed and armed female figure of Britannia permeates British identity.
Charles II Farthing
Trials for the new copper coinage of Charles II were produced in the 1660s. Some contain the inscription I CLAIM THE FOUR SEAS in Latin, but this never appeared on the new coinage when it was officially issued in 1672.
A number of maritime setbacks during the war with the Dutch, including a raid on the English fleet in the Medway in 1667, made the claim feel quite hollow.
The Peace of Breda Medal 1667
The Peace of Breda medal, struck to mark the negotiations which brought to an end the Second Dutch War in 1667, portrayed an overtly maritime Britannia.
Seated with her back to the cliffs and looking out to sea, she surveys the English navy.
Charles II Halfpenny
The first official copper coinage was struck in 1672. The new halfpennies and farthings featured a striking image of Britannia, but, on the coinage, as yet not an overtly maritime figure.
Evidence from diarists Samuel Pepys and Sir John Evelyn would seem to suggest that the image of Britannia used on these coins was based on Frances Stuart, Duchess of Richmond.
Battle of the Nile Medal (1798) by The Royal MintThe Royal Mint Museum
Battle of the Nile Medal
Throughout the later 18th and early 19th century, the figure of Britannia was used on medals to mark naval victories, such as in this example for Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of the Nile in 1798.
Edward VII Florin (1902) by The Royal MintThe Royal Mint Museum
Edward VII Florin
George William DeSaulles’ design for the florin of Edward VII featured an image of Britannia which was based on Susan Hicks Beech, the then Chancellor’s daughter.
Christopher Ironside's Britannia
Christopher Ironside sought to create a fresh image of Britannia, one that was less stern and forbidding than that which had appeared on coins struck during the reign of Queen Victorian.
His take on the icon first appeared on the new 50p piece in 1969 and can still be found in our change today.
Britannia Bullion Coin
In 1987 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson, issued a new bullion coin to counter the growing popularity of the South African Krugerrand.
The image of Britannia designed by the artist Philip Nathan was chosen for the new coin series, which was named after her.
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