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Royal Mint

2003 Britannia Bust Half-Ounce Gold Proof Coin | NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

£1,860 In stock, ready to ship

£1,823 by bank transfer save £37

Save 2%

Paying by bank transfer

This coin by bank transfer £1,823
  1. Add the coin to your basket and check out as normal.
  2. At the payment step, choose Bank transfer.
  3. We'll email you an invoice with your 2% saving already deducted, along with our bank details.
  4. Pay the invoice amount, using your order number as the reference.
  5. Once your payment reaches us, your coin is dispatched free and fully insured by Royal Mail Special Delivery.

Available on orders of £250 or more. Questions? Call or message us on 07340 710102.

Your purchase, guaranteed.

  • Reviewed on Trustpilot
  • Free, discreet insured delivery by Royal Mail Special Delivery
  • Certification verifiable online with NGC or PCGS
  • CGT and VAT exempt for UK residents
  • 14-day return policy

Questions about this coin? Call or message 07340 710102

2003 Britannia Bust Half-Ounce Gold Proof Coin – NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

This 2003 Britannia carries a striking departure from the familiar full-length standing figure: a side-facing bust of Britannia wearing a helmet, her profile overlaid with a rippling wave pattern that nods to her seafaring, maritime associations. Created by veteran Royal Mint sculptor Philip Nathan — his fourth Britannia design and the penultimate of his career on the series — the coin uses the same distinctive typeface as his 2001 "Britannia and the Lion" issue, but introduces an unusual tessellated, jigsaw-like effect to the surrounding waves that sets it apart from every other Britannia year.

The traditional crenellated border, present on every Britannia design since the range began in 1987, is retained here, tying this one-year departure back to the series' original identity even as the central portrait breaks from convention entirely.

The obverse carries Ian Rank-Broadley's fourth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, used on UK coinage between 1998 and 2015.

Graded NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — the maximum attainable grade, reflecting a flawless strike with no imperfections under magnification and strong cameo contrast between the frosted devices and mirrored fields.

Your Purchase, Guaranteed

✓ Only 1 currently in stock — each graded coin we list is a specific example, individually photographed and certified.

✓ Free, fully insured UK delivery — tracked door to door, at no extra cost.

✓ The exact coin you see — every photo on this page is the real coin, never stock imagery.

✓ 14-day returns if the coin isn't exactly as described.

✓ Independently verified — check this coin's own certification on NGC's public register (link below).

✓ Talk to a specialist directly — email richard@sovaracoins.com for a straight answer before you buy.

Coin Highlights

  • One-year-only "Britannia Bust" reverse by Philip Nathan — his fourth Britannia design
  • Helmeted side profile of Britannia, overlaid with a distinctive tessellated wave pattern
  • Retains the crenellated border used across every Britannia design since 1987
  • Obverse: Ian Rank-Broadley's fourth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Struck in 22 carat gold to proof finish by The Royal Mint
  • Certified NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo — the highest possible grade
  • Encapsulated in a tamper-evident NGC holder for authenticity and protection

Specifications

Year 2003
Mint The Royal Mint, Llantrisant
Composition 22 carat gold (91.67% fine)
Weight 16.97 grams
Fine Gold Content 0.5 troy oz (15.55 grams)
Diameter 27.00 mm
Edge Milled
Finish Proof
Obverse Designer Ian Rank-Broadley (fourth portrait)
Reverse Designer Philip Nathan (one-year-only "Britannia Bust" design)
Grading NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo

Why This Coin Stands Out

The 2003 bust design stands apart from every other year in the Britannia range — it's the only issue to abandon the full standing figure entirely in favour of a close helmeted portrait, and the tessellated wave treatment is unique to this single year. A PF70 Ultra Cameo certification represents the technical ceiling of the issue, making this a strong pick for collectors building out the full run of Philip Nathan's varied Britannia designs alongside the 2001 Lion and 2009 Chariot issues.

As UK legal tender gold, this coin is exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents and free from VAT under current investment gold rules. Browse our full range of graded gold Sovereigns to explore more one-year-only designs and historic Britannia issues.

2003 G.Britain Britannia Bust G50PND

Have a question?

Speak toa specialist.

Ask about grade, population or anything else before you buy. Call or message or send us your question below.

07340 710102

Need help?

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer a discount for paying by bank transfer?

Yes. Pay by bank transfer and you'll save 2% on orders of £250 or more.

  1. Add your coin to the basket and check out as normal.
  2. At the payment step, choose Bank transfer.
  3. We'll email you an invoice with your 2% saving already deducted, along with our bank details.
  4. Pay the invoice amount, using your order number as the reference.
  5. Once your payment reaches us, your coin is dispatched free and fully insured by Royal Mail Special Delivery.

Every coin page shows its bank transfer price just under the main price, so you'll know the exact amount before you order. Questions? Call or message us on 07340 710102.

Delivery & returns

Delivery Information

We offer free insured delivery across the UK on all orders. Every coin is carefully inspected, securely packaged, and sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery - a fully tracked, next-day service that requires a signature on receipt.

All parcels are shipped discreetly and fully insured for peace of mind.

We currently do not ship internationally. Orders can only be delivered to the UK address provided at checkout, and we’re unable to send to PO Box addresses.

We aim to dispatch all orders within one business day of receiving cleared payment. Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive tracking details so you can monitor its progress.

Returns Policy

For non-bullion items (such as proof coins, graded coins or accessories), we’re happy to accept returns within 14 days of receipt if you feel your coin is not as described and provided the item is returned in its original condition, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help.

If an item is returned for reasons other than being not as described, return postage will be the responsibility of the buyer.

Important Notes

  • All returns must be pre-authorised by our customer service team.
  • Please use a tracked and insured service when sending items back to us, as we cannot accept liability for goods lost or damaged in transit.
  • For full details, please see our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly with any questions.
Payment & verification information

At Sovara Coins, your security is our priority. To protect both our customers and ourselves from fraud, we currently accept debit card and bank transfer payments only.

  • Debit card payments are processed securely through our trusted payment provider, giving you instant confirmation at checkout.
  • Bank transfer payments are also welcome and full instructions will be provided during the checkout process.

Please note that we do not accept credit cards. This policy helps us keep prices competitive and ensures all transactions remain low-risk and fully traceable.

For your protection:

  • Billing and shipping addresses must match.
  • On higher-value orders, we may request ID verification before dispatch. This is a quick process and helps keep your purchase safe.

Every payment method we accept is fully secure, encrypted and protected. Once payment is confirmed, your order will be prepared for dispatch within one business day.

Can I verify the coin's grade?

Yes. Every NGC-certified coin has a unique certification number visible on the slab label. You can verify the grade, coin details and population data at NGCcoin.uk using the cert number shown.

What is the population or top pop figure?

The NGC census records how many examples of each coin have been graded at each level. A Top Pop coin means no other example has achieved a higher grade — making it the finest certified specimen in existence for that issue.

Do you offer part exchange?


Yes. We accept all proof coins and graded coins in part exchange, including NGC and PCGS certified coins, boxed gold and silver proofs, and proof sets. 

Tell us what you'd like to trade and which coin you have your eye on, and we'll give you a bespoke cost-to-change valuation.

The Seventy Select

Graded 70.Nothing less.

Every coin here is graded PF70 Ultra Cameo or MS70, the highest grade NGC and PCGS award.