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Britannia

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The first known representation of Britannia as a female figure sitting on a globe, leaning with one arm on a shield, and grasping a spear in the other hand, is on a Roman coin of Antoninus Pius, who died A.D. 161. The figure reappeared on our copper coin in the reign of Charles II., 1665, and the model was Miss Stewart, after-wards created Duchess of Richmond. The engraver was Philip Roetier, 1665. In 1825 W. Wyon made a new design.

“The King’s new medall, 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,”—Pepysʹ Diary (25 Feb.).

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Brisingamen
Brisk as a Bee
Brissotins
Bristol Board
Bristol Boy (The)
Bristol Diamonds
Bristol Fashion (In)
Bristol Milk
Bristol Waters
Britain
Britannia
British Lion (The)
Britomart [sweet maid]
Britomartis
Briton (Like a)
Brittany
Broach
Broad as Long
Broad Arrow
Broad Bottom Ministry (1744)
Broadcloth

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Britannia