A Twenty Five Pound coin, struck in a quarter ounce of 999.9 fine gold to celebrate the anniversary of Britain formalising the gold standard.
The Story of the Gold Standard
A gold standard is a monetary system in which the value of a country's currency is directly linked to a specific amount of gold.
Great Britain accidentally adopted a de facto gold standard in 1717 when Sir Isaac Newton - then Master of the Royal Mint - fixed the value of a gold Guinea as 21 silver shillings. A formal standard was adopted in 1821, following the introduction of the gold Sovereign. Britain's global reach and new discoveries of gold saw other countries adopting a similar standard.
The UK and the rest of the British Empire fell off the gold standard with the outbreak of World War I. Winston Churchill masterminded a brief post-war revival but the standard was abandoned in 1931.
Dominique Evans' Design
The 2021 Gold Standard Quarter Ounce Gold Proof coins features a set of scales, beautifully wrought by senior designer at The Royal Mint, Dominique Evans. Designed to symbolise balance, Evans said this about her work:
'I have always been fascinated by gold's economic role as well as its allure. So, I began to look at symbols of trade, and scales quickly felt like a perfect fit. I placed the compass around them to symbolise global connectivity. The points intersect with the scales to give the overall design a sense of rigidity.'
Evans' design is complemented by Jody Clark's portrait of Elizabeth II which appears on the obverse with a legend that flags the £25 face value of this piece: 'ELIZABETH II · D · G · REG · F · D · 25 POUNDS'.
Quarter Ounce Gold Proof
This 2021 commemorative coin is struck in 7.80 grams of 999.9 fine gold. That's equal to 0.250776 troy ounces. This Gold Standard coin is slightly lighter but ultimately purer than a gold Sovereign which has the same diameter (22 millimetres).
The finish here is impeccable. The proof standard striking creates a sharp contrast between fields and motif, meaning you can appreciate the clean lines of Evans' work in all their glory. It's a fitting tribute to a fascinating chapter in economic and numismatic history.
Limited Edition of Just 500
Only 500 of these 2021 Gold Standard Quarter Ounce Gold Proof coins have been struck. A heavier 2021 Gold Standard 1 Ounce Gold Proof coin is also available, as is a two coin set, pairing the quarter ounce coin with a gold Sovereign from the year the UK left the gold standard: 1931.
This quarter ounce coin is presented in its original packaging from The Royal Mint with an informative booklet, charting the history of the gold standard. Your coin remains encapsulated and is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
7.80 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Denomination:
£25 / Twenty Five Pound
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
- Struck to celebrate the formalisation of the gold standard
- 7.80 grams of 999.9 gold
- Beautiful proof finish
- 22.00 millimetre diameter
- Twenty Five Pound / £25 face value
- Reverse features scale design by Dominique Evans
- Inspired by ideas of balance and connectivity
- Obverse shows Jody Clark's portrait of Elizabeth II
- From a limited edition presentation of 500
- Offered in original packaging with numbered certificate
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
Buy with Confidence
All Gold, Silver, Platinum and Palladium coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise: just read some of our reviews.
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Our prices include fully insured delivery within the UK. Your purchase is covered from the moment you buy until it's in your hands. Orders are packed with care, tracked every step of the way, and require signature on receipt to ensure a safe delivery experience.
Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
If you're seeking to inspect a specific item you have seen online, give us a call ahead of your visit on 01793 205 007 so we can make sure it's ready for you to view. If you're collecting an order your payment should have cleared before you arrive and we may ask to see identification.
Get in Touch
Got questions? Our experts are ready to answer them. If you need more information before you make your purchase then please get in touch.
Call our showroom on 01793 205 007.
Drop us a line on coins@britanniacoincompany.com.
Visit us at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7AB.
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