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 troy ounce of fine gold, its value tracks the gold market almost exactly. The fractional sizes hold the matching fraction of an ounce.
| Britannia size | Fine gold |
|---|---|
| 1oz | 1.000 oz |
| 1/2oz | 0.500 oz |
| 1/4oz | 0.250 oz |
| 1/10oz | 0.100 oz |
Britannia weight and fine-gold content
| Coin | Weight | Fineness | Fine gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter sovereign (UK) | 2.00 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 1.83 g |
| Half sovereign (UK) | 3.99 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 3.66 g |
| Full sovereign (UK) | 7.98 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 7.32 g |
| Double sovereign (UK) | 15.98 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 14.64 g |
| Five-pound sovereign (UK) | 39.94 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 36.61 g |
| Britannia, 1 oz (1987-2012) | 34.05 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g |
| Britannia, 1 oz (2013 on) | 31.21 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g |
| Krugerrand, 1 oz (South Africa) | 33.93 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g |
| Maple Leaf, 1 oz (Canada) | 31.11 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g |
| Philharmonic, 1 oz (Austria) | 31.10 g | 999.9 (24ct) | 31.10 g |
| American Eagle, 1 oz (USA) | 33.93 g | 916.7 (22ct) | 31.10 g |
| 20 Francs (France, Switzerland) | 6.45 g | 900 (21.6ct) | 5.81 g |
| 20 Mark (Germany, 1871-1915) | 7.97 g | 900 (21.6ct) | 7.17 g |
Photograph both sides and any packaging before posting. Rare dates, proof finishes and scarce mint marks can justify a specialist assessment. GoldPaid does not publish a price list or calculator. Send photos for a rough estimate where possible; your written offer follows inspection of your own items.
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 the figure easy to check: the coin holds one ounce of fine gold.
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 rough estimate.
- 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. We aim to pay 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 one-ounce gold Britannia contains one troy ounce of fine gold. Earlier 22ct issues and later fine-gold issues have different gross weights, so identify the date and denomination before comparing them. Proof coins and their original packaging may carry collector interest. GoldPaid does not publish a price list or calculator. Send photos for a rough estimate where possible; your written offer follows inspection of your own items.
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, and each holds its fraction of an ounce of fine gold. The prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery label is free whatever the size of the coin.
Not the question you had? The full GoldPaid FAQ covers the rest, from postal cover and ID checks to what happens if you decline the offer.
Speak to us before you post
Please send us photos on WhatsApp, and we will help you. We give a rough estimate where possible and arrange postage with you after our conversation. Your final offer follows inspection.