The Royal Mint has unveiled a new 50p design featuring an image of King Charles III and will enter circulation later this year.
Meanwhile, a special range of commemorative coins commemorating Queen Elizabeth II will be launched at 9am on Monday. Charles’ portrait will appear on a £5 crown and a 50p to celebrate the Queen.
Nicola Howell, commercial director at the Royal Mint, told the PA news agency: “We expect customers to start receiving the commemorative range from October and then expect the 50p circulating coin to appear on the exchange of the people probably from December.”
The effigy of the king, which has received the personal approval of Charles, was created by sculptor Martin Jennings, the Mint said. As is tradition, the portrait of the king will face to the left, in the opposite direction to that of Queen Elizabeth II.
Chris Barker of the Royal Mint Museum said: “Charles has followed this general tradition that we have in British coinage, going back to Charles II, actually, of the monarch facing in the opposite direction to his predecessor.” .
The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: “:: CHARLES III :: D :: G :: REX :: F :: D :: 5 pounds :: 2022”, which translates as: “King Charles III, by the grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.
The design will begin appearing on circulating and commemorative coins produced over the coming months.
The Royal Mint, based in Llantrisant, South Wales, has represented the royal family on coins for over 1,100 years, documenting every monarch since Alfred the Great.
Anne Jessopp, its chief executive, said: “The Royal Mint has been trusted to produce coins bearing the monarch’s effigy for over 1,100 years and we are proud to continue this tradition during the reign of King Charles III.
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“While technology has advanced, we continue to honor British craftsmanship passed down through the centuries. Our team of expert modellers, toolmakers and engravers will ensure that the King’s effigy is faithfully reproduced on millions of coins .
“It is a privilege to sculpt the first official effigy of Her Majesty and to receive her personal approval for the design. The portrait was sculpted from a photograph of the King and was inspired by the iconic effigies that have graced Britain’s coins over the centuries.”