ROYAL MINT ISSUES NEW BRITANNIA

The Royal Mint has unveiled the first coin depicting Britannia as a woman of colour.

The limited edition coin is one of two new designs created by the artist PJ Lynch to offer a contemporary new vision of Britannia, reflecting the diversity of Britain today.

Britannia, the national personification of Britain, first appeared on coins under the 2nd century Roman emperor Hadrian, when she was depicted carrying a spear and shield. The use of Britannia on coins was revived under King Charles II when her shield bore the crosses of St George and St Andrew and she carried an olive branch as well as a spear. Later modifications have included the replacement of her spear with a trident and the addition of a lion.

Last year the Royal Mint announced a commitment to ensuring greater diversity on British coins and unveiled a new 50 pence, with the phrase Diversity Built Britain. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, said that he requested the mint introduce the 50p to celebrate the We Too Built Britain campaign, which works for fair representation of minorities’ contributions in all walks of life.

Mint officials said that the 2021 Britannia builds on its commitment, reflecting a nation which is diverse and evolving with a contemporary new depiction.

Describing both the exclusive design showing Britannia as a woman of colour, in profile, and a core design, depicting a white Britannia with a lion, Lynch, said: Creating an original new design for an icon such as Britannia is a dream for an artist.

For the core range, I started with a lot of sketching — lots and lots of thumbnail drawings of Britannia herself in different poses, sometimes with her lion guardian, and sometimes with her trident and shield on a rocky shore with waves splashing at her feet.

Lynch added: For the exclusive editions in the range, I decided it would be a good idea to go in close for a profile portrait of Britannia.

Lynch, who is also a children’s book illustrator, added: I wanted her to look strong, resolute and attractive, but I also felt that her features should reflect something of the diversity of the people of Britain in the 21st century.

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All change for coin that reflects modern Britain from Royal Mint (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/all-change-for-coin-that-reflects-modern-britain-from-royal-mint-5pdb2sznj)

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