The U.K.-based Royal Mint has achieved record-breaking sales exceeding £4.1 million ($6.9 million Cdn.) in a special “Royal Succession” auction featuring its last bullion coins featuring the effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the first bullion coins produced bearing the portrait of King Charles III.
All 690 lots from the historical auction, held via U.S. firm Stacks Bowers last month, sold out after nine hours of what mint officials called “fierce bidding” among collectors and investors. The last gold bullion one-ounce Britannia struck under Queen Elizabeth II sold for £40,073 – more than 25 times its metal value – and the first gold bullion one-ounce Britannia struck under King Charles III achieved £33,661, more than 20 times its metal value.
“The Royal Mint is known around the world as the home of precious metals and for its prestigious and iconic designs. We were thrilled to be able to bring the Royal Succession Coin Series to auction to mark such a historic event in British and world history and to drive further awareness of our premium bullion coins amongst collectors and investors globally,” said Nick Bowkett, the mint’s head of bullion sales.
“The success of the auction emphasizes the significance of these historic coins, and we saw bidding activity from over 35 countries, including the USA, Canada, China, the UK and Asia. We look forward to being able to offer more unique bullion auctions in the future, along with our premium range of bullion coins and bars.”
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There were also record-breaking prices achieved for the silver one-ounce Britannia bullion coins.
The last bullion coin struck under Queen Elizabeth II selling for £15,227 – more than 800 times its metal value – and the very first bullion coin struck under King Charles III realized £14,426, almost 800 times its metal value.
Selected coins featured signatures from Queen Elizabeth II’s final Assay Master Graeme Smith, the current King’s Assay Master Paul Morgan and Royal Mint CEO Anne Jessopp. All coins were graded and encapsulated by the third-party grading service Numismatic Guaranty Company with custom labels recognizing their historical significance.
The Royal Mint’s 2024 Britannia Bullion Range will launch soon.