On Friday, the first coin featuring King Charles III was unveiled and would be pushed into public before the end of 2022. Other denominations would also be minted with the same image in 2023.
The 50 pence coin shows a likeness of the British king designed by Martin Jennings, a British sculptor, who revealed it’s his smallest work so far.
On the coin, King Charles is facing the left to maintain a tradition that witnesses each UK successive monarch switching profile.
Like the previous kings, King Charles isn’t wearing a crown, though Queen Elizabeth II did in the 5 coins designed in her reign.
From the beginning of next year (2023), the same image will be used on coins from 1 penny to £2. According to BBC, the text on this new coin says, “CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022.” This is the short form of the Latin “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith.”
The existing coins will be phased out naturally
Meanwhile, the existing 29 billion coins with the queen image in circulation in the UK and Commonwealth countries of New Zealand, Australia, and Canada would remain legal tender and naturally be phased out over time.
This comes as it was common for the public to use coins featuring more than one monarch.
The Royal Mint, Britain’s oldest company that has designed coins featuring the monarch for more than 1,100 years, disclosed that the coins would be available for collectors next week and in general use before the end of this year.
For Anne Jessopp, chief executive at the Royal Mint, “Although technology has progressed, we continue to honor British craftsmanship passed down through the centuries.”
He added, “Our team of skilled modelers, tool-makers, and engravers will ensure that the King’s effigy will be faithfully replicated on to millions of coins.”
In addition, the Royal Mint will release a commemorative £5 Crown, a coin designed to be a collector item or souvenir not generally accepted for use. This coin will also feature the image of Queen Elizabeth II close to the beginning and end of her 70-year reign.
To recall, King Charles ascended to the British throne on September 8, 2022 after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, his mother. The palace said the cause of her death, as recorded on the death certificate, was old age. She died at the age of 96.
Photo by Srikanth Popuri from Pexel