The news that Britannia is to be dropped from the new 50p piece has sparked much righteous indignation in those who see it as a betrayal both of Britain and its glorious historical heritage. It will be the first time in 300 years that she has not appeared on our coins.

Britannia is often said to be a version of Boadicea, who famously led a violent revolt against Britain’s Roman rulers. However, this seems unlikely, as she first appears on coins issued by the Romans themselves.

When Britain was ruled by Hadrian, of Wall fame, the emperor had a shrine erected in York to the goddess Britannia: a celestial personification of England (north of the Wall having been named Caledonia).

Shortly afterwards, she started appearing on coins: seated with a spear or shield, wrapped in a garment with a breast exposed. However, she soon disappeared from our coins and did not reappear for more than 1,000 years – returning in the 17th century on Charles II halfpennies and farthings.

The story goes that this version of Britannia was based on Frances Stewart (or Stuart), later the Duchess of Richmond and Lennox, who happened to be Charles II’s mistress at the time. Samuel Pepys wrote of “the king’s new medall [sic], where, in little, there is Mrs Stewart’s face . . . and a pretty thing it is, that he should choose her face to represent Britannia by”.

Britannia continued to appear on our coins until the present day.

And again the Victorians stand accused of prudishness, because they covered her exposed breast – although some earlier versions also clothed her upper body.

So in April our coinage says farewell to the image of warlike Britain. Or an old king’s bit on the side, whichever story you prefer.

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