British Coins

British Coins

Coins have been part of Britain’s history since the Celtic tribes produced tokens for trading. It was during the Roman occupation in the earliest centuries AD however that the production and manufacture became more formalised.

Click here for a brief history of British mints.

The Royal Mint has existed in various forms since 886 AD and to this day produces gold, silver and tender coins for the UK and countries around the world.

Old British Coins

Prior to the twentieth century, coins produced in Britain were made primarily of gold or silver, and many different denominations were used across the country. The popular Gold Sovereign has been a mainstay coin for centuries, produced during the reign of Henry VII.

Due to the softness of both gold and silver, older coins are scarce and can often command prices above the metal value. Rare British coins can be incredibly valuable, with collectors looking to own a piece of history.

Collectible British Coins

With gold and silver removed from circulation in the early 20th century, the precious metals are now used for commemorative and collectible coins. The Royal Mint produces coins yearly in both gold and silver with series such as the Queen’s Beasts, Lunar and Britannia series. The limited numbers make these coins highly sought after.