The silver Liberty and Britannia is a 2024 commemorative coin produced as a joint effort between the United States and Great Britain. The coin brings the world’s two largest mints together for a groundbreaking partnership, combining the best of American and British design to showcase the talent of each mint’s Chief Engraver. It was issued by the U.S. Mint and the Royal Mint in silver and gold. The coin embodies what Sir Winston Churchill described in 1946 as the “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Design of the Silver Liberty and Britannia
Obverse of the Liberty and Britannia
The Liberty and Britannia coin embodies the core values of both the United States and the United Kingdom. The obverse is reminiscent of court cards (UK) or face cards (US) from a deck of playing cards, which inspired the design. Liberty and Britannia, enduring symbols of the United States of America and the United Kingdom, represent each country equally, taking center stage on the obverse. The two figures are intertwined, and each holds a symbol propped by and through the other.
Britannia has long stood as an allegorical depiction of the United Kingdom and a symbol of British strength. She appears regal and austere on the 2024 Silver Liberty and Britannia coin. Her Corinthian helmet is raised to reveal long, flowing hair, and her sharp gaze pierces through the trident in her hand.
Liberty, the Anglicized adaptation of the Roman goddess Libertas, has been depicted on many U.S. coins and monuments as the emblem of freedom. She appears strong and resolute, with curls of hair cascading down her face to her neck. Her hair is adorned with seven stars, and she holds the torch of freedom to illuminate the path forward.
The obverse was designed as part of a collaborative effort between Joseph Menna and Gordon Summers, Chief Engravers of the U.S. Mint and Royal Mint, respectively.
Reverse of the Liberty and Britannia
Issues from the United States Mint depict a Great Basin Bristlecone pine on the western shore and an English Yew tree on the eastern shore. The two shores are separated by a sunlit Atlantic Ocean, symbolic of the enduring bond between the U.S. and Great Britain.
Issues from the Royal Mint feature an effigy of King Charles III on the obverse with CHARLES III, D.G. REX. F.D. and 2 POUNDS designed by Martin Jennings. The gold variation has a face value of 100 pounds.
Are There Differences Between the U.S. and U.K. Issues?
There are differences between the U.S. and U.K. issues of the Liberty and Britannia coin, ranging from subtle to strong.
Obverse-Reverse Orientation of the Liberty and Britannia
The U.S. version of the Liberty and Britannia coin places Liberty and Britannia on the obverse and has the aforementioned reverse by Joseph Menna.
Conversely, the U.K. edition places Liberty and Britannia on the reverse and utilizes the effigy of King Charles III for the obverse.
Other Differences Between the U.S. and U.K. Issues
There are several other differences between the coins, as well.
Differences in Fields
The U.K. version has a finely patterned field similar to what is on many issues of the British Silver Britannia, while the U.S. version does not.
Lettering Differences
The 2024 Great Britain Silver Britannia and Liberty features BRITANNIA AND LIBERTY engraved along the top of the border, with 2024 – 1 OZ 999 FINE SILVER along the lower edge of the design.
The U.S. Mint issue of the 2024 Silver Liberty and Britannia has a simpler border with 2024 and LIBERTY on the left and right of the design.
Value Differences
The U.S. issue of the silver Liberty and Britannia does not have a face value, but the U.K. silver issue has a face value of 1 pound.
The gold issue has a face value of $100 and £100.
