Just 15 days since it went on sale, the complete 495 edition of DateStamp™ “958” and “999” Silver Britannia Set has been fully reserved by collectors looking to capture an unprecedented, never-to-be-repeated moment in the history of this most iconic of British coins.
So why so special?
The ‘old’ 958 Britannia last struck at the end of 2012
Here’s the background. For the last quarter of a century, the 1oz Britannia Silver has been struck in, not surprisingly, ‘Britannia Silver’ with a purity of 95.8% silver – or more commonly 958/1000. Out of its total 32.45 gram weight, 31 grams was pure silver (1 troy ounce), the rest an alloy.
New year, new Britannia
Until recently that is. Other silver 1oz classics have always been struck in 999/1000 silver, the trademark standard of silver bullion coins the world over. Britannia at 958/1000 was the odd one out.
In with the new – from 1st January 2013, the 1oz Britannia is struck for the first time ever in 999/1000 silver
And so, from 1st January 2013, we waved goodbye to the old ‘958’ Britannia and for the first time ever, welcomed in the new ‘999’ silver 1oz coin – bringing her in line with the US Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf but also securing Britannia’s status as Britain’s purest silver coin.
The end of one era – the beginning of another
Specification changes like this one don’t come along very often. And when they do, collectors look for something very special to remember it by.
The limited edition Silver Britannia ‘DateStamp™’ Set pairs up one of the last 2012 strikes of the ‘old’ 958 Britannia with one of the very first brand new 2013 versions minted in the purest 999 silver.
A moment captured in time
To mark this unprecedented change in Britannia’s history, each of the two ‘DateStamp™’ Set coins is presented in a tamper-proof capsule alongside a gold 1st class stamp, postmarked on the first or last day of issue – 31st December 2012 for the ‘958’ coin and 1st January 2013 for the new ‘999’ coin. The perfect way to capture and preserve a real piece of coinage history.
Also adding extra value, each set also has its own unique serial number guaranteeing its authenticity and limited edition status.
Missed out on owning one of the 495 sets? Other DateStamp™ coins are available, click here to see the full range.
One of the world’s rarest stamps featuring Queen Victoria’s upside down head goes under the hammer later today at London auctioneers, Spink.
One of only a tiny number now available, the ‘inverted’ Queen Victoria Stamp is likely to fetch in the region of £70,000
Out of over 200,000 stamps printed in Calcutta in 1854, it’s thought that less than 30 of the ‘inverted’ Queen Victoria stamps – caused by a printing error which nobody noticed – now exist anywhere in the world.
Whoops!
Of course, the philatelic world’s most famous printing error is probably the ‘Inverted’ Jenny Stamp, so-called because the Curtiss JN-4 bi-plane at its centre was mistakenly printed upside down. It’s thought there are just 100 in existence today – one of which sold for a staggering $977,500 in November 2007.
The ‘Inverted’ Jenny Stamp – probably the most famous print job to go badly wrong
Who wouldn’t want one?
Inverted stamps are incredibly rare and highly sought-after among private collectors.
Sadly, most of us won’t ever get to hold an inverted stamp, be it Jenny or Victoria, let alone have the chance to own one.
The closest most of us will ever get…
Little consolation, I know, but here’s the next best thing to owning the legendary Jenny stamp – The 1918 US Curtiss Jenny Airmail Stamps – Click here.
Just 2,013 new UK £5 Silver Coronation Coins have today been released as part of an exclusive Proof Coin Collection issued by The Royal Mint.
Released today: the UK Silver Coronation Coin
Struck in 925/1000 Sterling Silver to an immaculate proof finish, the £5 Coronation Crown marks the most important Royal event of 2013.
The ‘Crowning’ glory
Emma Noble’s exquisite St Edward’s Crown design recalls the moment almost sixty years ago when the young princess Elizabeth, watched by millions, was officially crowned Queen in Westminster Abbey.
Everyday coins
with a unique finish
Alongside the £5 Silver Coronation Coin, the other eight coins in the new Coronation Jubilee Executive Proof Set – the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 – are newly dated 2013 coins in their original circulating metal.
That’s not to say these are the exact same coins you’ll find in your change – every single one has been finished to the highest possible proof standard.
New limited edition set features the new £5 Silver Coronation Coin as its centrepiece.
With just 2,013 Silver Coronation Coins released today, demand to own the new Coronation Proof Set is sure to be high.
**This item has now sold out**
Please click here for a selection of Coronation coins available.