E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Britannia.
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.
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“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,”—Pepys’ Diary (25 Feb.).
