If you want to buy silver coin in the UK and start right, pick coins that are easy to authenticate, liquid at resale, and clear on tax. Many first-time buyers choose the 1 oz Silver Britannia: .999 fine, UK legal tender, and widely recognised. You can go from shortlist to checkout in a few steps.
Operator tip: Handle coins by the edge. Keep the capsule sealed. If you spot an issue, photograph the coin beside your invoice and email support.
What are the key specs of the 1 oz Silver Britannia?
1 oz of .999 silver, £2 face value, 38.61 mm diameter, King Charles III obverse (from 2023), and four 2021 security features.
Weight & fineness: 1 troy ounce, .999 fine silver.
Face value: £2 (legal tender).
Diameter: 38.61 mm.
Current obverse: HM King Charles III (introduced on Britannia bullion coins in 2023).
Security features: latent image (padlock ↔ trident), surface animation, micro-text, tincture lines.
Recognition cue: Check the reeded edge and the bullion (BU) finish; both should be clean and consistent on current issues.
Which silver coin should UK beginners buy first?
Start with the Silver Britannia (1 oz). It combines investment weight with a strong secondary market and a design dealers recognise at a glance.
Why Britannia works for a first purchase
UK legal tender with broad recognition.
.999 purity with consistent weight and finish.
Active resale market that helps keep spreads tight.
Dealers often quote tighter spreads for full tubes of current 1 oz Britannia's than for mixed singles in opened flips. If you plan to build a position, buy tubes of 25 as you go and leave them sealed. That makes it easier when you buy silver coin over time.
Why is a Silver Britannia priced above the silver spot price?
Because retail price = spot + fabrication/distribution/dealer costs, plus VAT if you take UK delivery.
Retail coin prices combine the spot silver rate with fabrication, distribution, and dealer costs, plus VAT if you take UK delivery. Coins usually carry higher fabrication than bars, but Britannia's offset this with legal‑tender status and CGT exemption, which many UK buyers value at exit. Choose singles for flexibility, and tubes or boxes if you want to reduce handling and build a batch. You can’t beat spot on a new coin because of fabrication and distribution. If a price sits far below market, treat it as a red flag and buy from established dealers only. When you buy silver coin, expect a premium over spot for these reasons.
Are Silver Britannia coins CGT-free in the UK?
Yes. Royal Mint bullion coins are exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK residents because they are UK legal tender. That includes Silver Britannia's. Bars and non-Royal Mint coins do not share this exemption. That clarity helps when you buy silver coin for long-term holding.
Do you pay VAT on silver coins in the UK?
Yes. Physical silver is VAT-rated at 20% in the UK. Silver does not fall under the “investment gold” VAT exemption.
A practical route: if you buy and store silver coins in Vault Storage, no VAT is charged at purchase or when you sell back to Baird (bonded-storage flow). If you later request UK delivery, VAT rules apply at that point. This vault route lets you buy silver coin exposure with lower friction at purchase. We will confirm the VAT amount before dispatch if you later request UK delivery from vault.
How to check a Silver Britannia is genuine at home
Use the four Royal Mint security features introduced in 2021 and present on current coins:
A latent image that shifts from a padlock to a trident when you tilt the coin.
Surface animation that gives the field a wave-like motion.
Micro-text (“DECUS ET TUTAMEN”) around Britannia.
Tincture lines on the Union Flag shield.
Caution: Skip “ping tests” that require removing the capsule; a photo + your invoice is enough for support to advise next steps.
1-minute authenticity check
Tilt test: the latent image should shift cleanly from a padlock to a trident.
Micro-text: read “DECUS ET TUTAMEN” around Britannia; the letters should be sharp and continuous.
Wave field: the background should show a smooth animation as you tilt the coin.
Place a soft, lint-free cloth under the coin during checks to avoid scuffing the capsule.
Arrival checklist
Check the year and design against official images.
Keep the capsule sealed.
Do not polish the coin or wipe the capsule. Fingerprints and hairline scratches lower bids. These habits help you buy silver coin with confidence and keep resale straightforward.
How many Silver Britannia's come in a tube or monster box?
A tube holds 25 coins; a Monster Box holds 500 (20 tubes × 25).
You can buy Silver Britannia's as singles, in tubes of 25, or in Monster Boxes of 500 (20 tubes × 25 coins). Bulk formats reduce per‑coin handling and make secure storage simpler. For staged selling, keep at least one tube sealed and use singles for occasional sales. If you plan to buy silver coin in bulk, tubes and boxes reduce handling and protect the finish.
How to order Silver Britannia's from Baird Mint (step by step)
Create an account and verify ID.
Choose coins by year and quantity (current issue or pre-owned).
Select delivery or vault storage. We ship once funds clear to your verified address, or we place coins held in your name in our vault (insured). Bank transfer suits larger orders and avoids card limits and 3-DS time-outs. For timelines and ID requirements, see our FAQ before checkout. It’s a straightforward way to buy silver coin directly from a UK mint.
Why buy Silver Britannia's from Baird Mint?
You get current-year and pre-owned stock, a clear sell-back route, and optional insured vault storage that speeds placement from custody.
We stock current-year and pre-owned Silver Britannia's with clear specs and a sell-back route that’s fastest from vault, because custody stays intact.
Ready to buy?
Open your account in minutes and start with in‑stock Silver Britannia's. With Baird, you can buy for insured vault storage to avoid VAT at purchase and on sell‑back to Baird, request UK delivery later, sell back quickly from vault custody, and receive tracked delivery once funds clear. You can book a Hatton Garden appointment, place bulk or trade orders by phone for tubes and boxes, and ask our team about SIPP/SSAS routes for bullion. Prefer to browse first? View Silver Britannia's in the category and compare current stock. Then buy silver coin when you’re ready.
FAQs
Are Britannia's CGT-free?
Yes. As UK legal tender bullion coins, they are CGT-exempt for UK residents.
Do I pay VAT on silver coins?
Yes, silver is VAT-rated at 20% in the UK. Buying for vault storage at Baird avoids VAT at purchase and on sell-back to Baird; VAT applies if you later request UK delivery.
How do I sell Britannia's back to Baird?
From vault, we can usually place coins faster because custody is intact and already verified. From home, allow time for check-in and verification before we confirm pricing.
