Two Ladies
Both the United States and the United Kingdom have produced silver bullion for collectors for decades. Although I've written about them before, I am doing so again to show them side-by-side for comparison purposes — an idea I got while writing my recent post about the Peace Dollar, by showing it side-by-side with its predecessor, the Morgan Dollar.
This particular Britannia bullion (below left) is a new one in my collection, a 2020 mintage! I had one already, but couldn't pass the chance to get another at slightly above spot, so I jumped at the opportunity!
The Royal Mint of the UK introduced their Britannia silver bullion in 1997 (although gold versions were made since 1987). Prior to 2013, the silver Britannia had a fineness of 958 (95.8% or "Britannia silver"). Since 2013 the silver has been produced with a fineness of 999 (99.9% silver), a mass of 31.21 g, and a diameter of 38.61 mm. The feminine figure on this piece is Britannia, the personification of Liberty and the United Kingdom, itself.
In 1986, the US Mint introduced the American Silver Eagle as the official silver bullion of the US, after the release of the Gold Eagle in 1985. The American Silver Eagle has a fineness of 999 (99.9% silver), a mass of 31.1 g (one Troy ounce), and a diameter of 40.6 mm (1.598 in). The woman depicted on the Silver Eagle, is Lady Liberty, of course, the personification of the concept of Liberty and the US.
The obverse (front) of the Britannia features a portrait of Her Majesty, Elizabeth II as the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. A majestic eagle dominates the obverse of the American Silver Eagle round.
These two ladies, Britannia and Liberty, have already appeared together, in at least one collection:
In January 2004, the Mint issued the "Legacies of Freedom United States and United Kingdom Silver Bullion Coin Set" which consisted of a 2003 bullion Silver Eagle and a 2002 Silver Britannia bullion coin from the United Kingdom. The set had an issue limit of 50,000. [1]
😊SOURCES
1 Wikipedia: American Silver Eagle
2 Wikipedia: Britannia
27-Mar-2020
Your banner throws me off. Precious metals are not investments.
The 99.9% Fine Silver I bought last year is worth about $3 more per ounce now than I paid for it last year. You must be buying the wrong metals if you are not seeing a return on your investment, too.
I think perhaps I have been not timing as well as you. I did recently get a 13.00 oz buy. Now the price is much higher. I won't see good profits until we get those double digit gains soon.
It very much depends on what kind of precious metal bullion you buy and what your objectives are. For example, generic and government mint bullion gold & silver's role are to be the economic hedge against Tail Risk or catastrophic currency failure like Hyperinflation caused by excessive currency printing. And that we can begin to happen recently with liquidity demands far exceeding supply. So the role is of wealth preservation and not investment.
Some Silver such as in the form of high or proof quality coins that are well designed and of small mintages or rarity tend to be of Investment type, appreciating value to those that collect.
There are various forms of Precious metals that have different roles inside a truly diversified defensive portfolio, much more than I can cover inside this comment.
What an awesome and well-thought comment! Thanks, my stacking sis!
Classic, I wonder if anyone will produce a coin featuring both Britannia and Lady Liberty similar to that of the Germania Allegories coin series. Pictured perhaps shaking hands, having tea together, hanging out, etc.
Thanks for sharing @thekittygirl
Raven it was actually suppose to happen several years ago. I believe Coinweek showed an example in their magazine at the time. The problem that broke it off was the US Mint and the Royal Mint both wanted sole rights to Mint it.
OMG, I had no idea that petty squabbling like that killed the idea. I don't see why a deal couldn't have been worked between the US and UK.
🤦🏻♀️
It’s all about money. Guess the queen still doesn’t have enough yet.
Two of my favorite ladies for bullion. The Peace and Morgan Dollar are not bullion to me. I only collect them in high grades.
Thanks for sharing
Yes, the Peace and Morgan are Constitutional Silver, originally intended for circulation as opposed to bullion such as this. Glad I found two of your favorite ladies! 😊
A very good article and nice comparison. They are both very nice in their own right . Thanks for sharing @thekittygirl! Have a good weekend! 🤗
Sis, sorry for coming this late. I do recall commenting on this article the minute it came out. But Goodness gracious, I think I am losing it because I do not see my comment here anywhere! I blame it it being confined to my home. I think I will go to the river and get some fresh air!
Personally, I prefer to stack government-issued bullion like the two ladies you featured in this article over any other kind of silver as a store of wealth and a hedge against inflation.
Thanks for sharing your latest pick-ups I love both the American Silver Eagle the 2020 Britannia and prefer the traditional design over the Oriental edging design, primarily because it is traditionally UK.
Be safe and take care, sis @thekittygirl 🥰🌺🤙
I think your earlier comment was on the "other" blockchain 😏 😁