What a gold Britannia is made of
The 1oz gold Britannia carries exactly one troy ounce of fine gold, the figure that drives its value.
- Fine gold content: 1.000 troy oz (31.1035g)
- Purity: 1987–2012 coins are 22 carat (916.7); 2013 onwards are 999.9 fine 24 carat
- Either way the coin contains a full ounce of gold; the earlier 22ct coins simply weigh slightly more in total
- Fractional sizes also exist: 1/2oz, 1/4oz and 1/10oz, worth the matching fraction of a full ounce
What a Britannia is worth
Because a 1oz Britannia holds exactly one ounce of gold, its gold value is the gold price.
| Britannia size | Fine gold | Value at £3,600/oz (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|
| 1oz | 1.000 oz | £3,600 |
| 1/2oz | 0.500 oz | £1,800 |
| 1/4oz | 0.250 oz | £900 |
| 1/10oz | 0.100 oz | £360 |
The Britannia’s tax advantage
The gold Britannia is UK legal tender, so it is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. There is no CGT on any gain when you sell, whatever the amount. That makes it one of the most efficient gold coins for a UK seller to hold and to sell. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser; check with HMRC if your situation is complex.
When a Britannia is worth more than its gold
- Proof Britannias from The Royal Mint, boxed with a certificate, carry a premium over bullion coins.
- Early dates and certain low-mintage years are collected.
- Condition. An unmarked, capsule-kept coin is worth more to a collector than a scratched one.
Most bullion Britannias trade at or near their gold value. That makes them straightforward to sell: the coin is the ounce, and the ounce is the price.
How to sell a gold Britannia by post
- Send a photo on WhatsApp, both sides, plus the box and certificate if you have them. We reply with a quick indicative figure.
- Request your free label, a prepaid, tracked Royal Mail Special Delivery label, or a Post Office QR code.
- Post it. A 1oz Britannia is a high-value item, so the postage is worth getting right. Your parcel travels on Royal Mail Special Delivery, and Royal Mail cover may be available up to £2,500 depending on the postal method and cover level used, and we confirm the right option for higher-value parcels before you post.
- Get paid. Payment goes out by Faster Payments within one working hour of you accepting the written offer. Decline it and the coin is posted back free.
Common questions
How much gold is in a 1oz Britannia?
A 1oz gold Britannia contains exactly one troy ounce (31.1035g) of fine gold. Coins from 2013 onwards are 999.9 fine; 1987–2012 coins are 22 carat but still contain a full ounce of gold.
What is a gold Britannia worth?
A 1oz Britannia holds one troy ounce of gold, so its metal value is simply the gold price: about £3,600 at the illustrative £3,600 an ounce used on this page. Treat that as scale, not a quote. The market moves through the day and the firm offer follows an XRF assay, so send a photo to GoldPaid for a figure based on today.
Is the gold Britannia CGT-exempt?
Yes. The Britannia is UK legal tender and is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents. GoldPaid is not a tax adviser. Check with HMRC if your situation is complex.
Do you buy fractional Britannias?
Yes. Half, quarter and tenth-ounce Britannias are all bought, priced on the fine gold each one holds. The prepaid Royal Mail label is free whatever the size of the coin.
Request a free prepaid Royal Mail label
Tell us where to send it. The label arrives by email, usually within about 30 minutes during working hours. Requesting one commits you to nothing: you get a written offer after the XRF assay, and if you decline, your items come back to you free.
Would you rather ask a question first, or send a photo? Message us on WhatsApp . It is the fastest way to get a sense of what something is worth before you post anything.