Silver Britannia Purity: The .999 Standard
Silver Britannias are minted from .999 fine silver, meaning each coin is 99.9% pure silver with only 0.1% alloy metals. This purity was upgraded from .958 (Britannia silver) in 2013, bringing the coin in line with other major silver bullion coins.
The .999 purity standard is widely used across government mints worldwide. It ensures maximum silver content while providing enough structural integrity for the Royal Mint's precision manufacturing and security feature production.
Understanding the Silver Britannia's purity helps you evaluate its investment characteristics and IRA eligibility.
Purity vs Silver Content
A common misconception is that higher purity means more silver. In fact, all major 1 oz silver bullion coins contain exactly 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams) of pure silver regardless of whether they are .999 or .9999 fine.
The practical difference between .999 and .9999 purity is minimal: 0.09% of alloy metals vs 0.01%. For a 1 oz Silver Britannia, this represents less than 0.03 grams—a negligible amount.
This distinction matters: you're not getting 'more silver' with higher purity coins. The investment value is essentially identical. A Silver Britannia at .999 purity contains the same silver as other 1 oz government coins.
The 2013 Purity Upgrade
Prior to 2013, Silver Britannias were minted from .958 fine silver (known as Britannia silver). The Royal Mint upgraded to .999 in 2013, improving IRA eligibility and aligning with the global bullion standard.
This change increased the Silver Britannia's pure silver content from 0.958 oz to 1.000 oz per coin, making it competitive with other major silver bullion products.
IRA Eligibility and Purity
IRS requirements for Precious Metals IRAs specify minimum .999 fineness for silver coins and bars. Silver Britannias meet this requirement with .999 purity.
The .999 purity standard ensures Silver Britannias qualify for tax-advantaged IRA ownership, making them a suitable choice for retirement portfolio diversification.
The purity standard also supports consistent valuation, straightforward pricing, and strong global liquidity for the Silver Britannia market.
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