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The first official coin portrait of King Charles III has been unveiled by the Royal Mint.
A new 50p design featuring the monarch will be entering circulation by the end of the year, while the effigy will also feature on a £5 coin as part of a special memorial coin collection in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
In line with a longstanding tradition dating back to the Reformation, King Charles III faces left in the portrait, in the opposite direction to his mother.
He is not wearing a crown, in line with the coinage style for other British Kings.
Approved personally by the King, the coin portrait was designed by British sculptor Martin Jennings.
We are proud to unveil the first official coin portrait of King Charles III which has been designed by Martin Jennings FRSS and personally approved by His Majesty.
— The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) September 29, 2022
The first coins to feature the effigy are part of a memorial collection for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/umrUBbUCBr
"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," the artist said.
"It is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come."
The 50p coin will enter circulation "in the coming months", according to the Royal Mint, but all coins bearing the portrait of Her Late Majesty will remain legal tender.
JUST ANNOUNCED: The Royal Mint have revealed the official coin effigy of King Charles III.
— The Westminster Collection (@WestminsterGB) September 30, 2022
The first coins to bear the King’s portrait will be a Memorial range releasing this Monday at 9AM.
More details on our blog here: https://t.co/9mmRabx62V pic.twitter.com/s39P9p0V6d
While Jersey is yet to draw up plans for any replacement of local currency, the new coins will be able to be used locally and in the wider Channel Islands.
The Royal Mint said it expected that both portraits "will appear in change for many years to come."
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Pictured top: The official coin effigy of King Charles III revealed by the Royal Mint this morning. (Royal Mint)
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