What is Britannia?
Q: What is Britannia?
A: Britannia is the national personification of Britain as a woman with a trident and shield and wearing a helmet.
Q: When was the image of Britannia first used?
A: The image of Britannia was first used in classical antiquity.
Q: What did the word 'Britannia' mean in Latin?
A: In Latin, 'Britannia' could mean the British Isles, the island of Great Britain, or the Roman province of Britain in the time of the Roman Empire.
Q: What does Britannia's image show her doing on coins?
A: Images of Britannia on coins show her sitting or lying down with a spear and shield.
Q: When were coins with Britannia first made for Charles II?
A: Coins with Britannia were first made for Charles II of England, Scotland, and Ireland after many victories by Britain's Royal Navy.
Q: When did coins start showing Neptune's trident from 1797?
A: Coins started showing Neptune's trident from 1797 after many victories by Britain's Royal Navy.
Q: When did coins start showing her wearing a helmet after 1825?
A: Coins started showing her wearing a helmet after 1825.
