UK unveils coins featuring King Charles

LONDON: New coins featuring the new British monarch, King Charles III, are expected to enter general circulation in the coming months as the portrait design was unveiled on Friday.

The UK’s Royal Mint revealed the new design with Charles’ head facing in the opposite direction to that of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as is royal tradition, along with a set of commemorative coins in memory of the late monarch. All coins bearing the effigy of the Queen, who died aged 96 earlier this month, will continue to also remain in circulation as legal tender in parallel.

“It is a privilege to sculpt the first official effigy of His Majesty and to receive his personal approval for the design,” said Martin Jennings, Designer of the King’s coin portrait.

The first coins to bear the King’s portrait are a special GBP 5 coin and 50 pence commemorating the life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy translates as “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith”. The effigy will start to appear on circulating and commemorative coins produced by the Royal Mint over the coming months.

The special memorial Queen coin range will be released on Monday, with the reverse of the commemorative GBP 5 featuring two new portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. The design was created by artist John Bergdahl in collaboration with the Royal Mint.