The Royal Mint organization on Friday unveiled the first specimens of the new British coins with the portrait of King Charles III.
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NOTNew change for the British. Soon, they will be able to have in their purses coins minted with the portrait of King Charles III, in addition to those already existing with the image of Queen Elizabeth II. Royal Mint, the body responsible for minting British currency, unveiled the first specimens of the new coins on Friday, September 30.
The portrait of King Charles III will appear on two coins in a special series celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II: one for 5 pounds sterling and another for 50 pence. They will enter circulation “in the next few months”, probably around December, specifies Royal Mint in a press release.
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The official portrait that will decorate future coins bearing the effigy of Charles III, the work of sculptor Martin Jennings, was designed from a photo and approved by the king. “It’s the smallest work I’ve ever created,” he comments, saying he’s touched “by the fact that it will be seen and held by so many people.”
“According to tradition, the portrait of the king looks to the left, the opposite direction of Queen Elizabeth II” on the portrait that adorns the coins in circulation for the moment, specifies Royal Mint. The coins bearing the effigy of the king will bear the inscription in Latin: “CHARLES III. DG REX. FD 5 lbs. 2022”, or “King Charles III, by the grace of God, defender of the faith” – one of the titles of the sovereign.
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The reverse of the 5 pound commemorative coin will feature two new portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist John Bergdahl in collaboration with Royal Mint. “All British coins bearing the image of Elizabeth II will remain legal and in circulation. It is common historically to have coins featuring different monarchs in circulation at the same time,” says Royal Mint, which “has been putting royal family portraits on coins for over 1,100 years.” The organization specifies that there are currently 27 billion coins in the United Kingdom with the effigy of Elizabeth II and that they will be replaced over time, when they are damaged.