The Royal Mint has just unveiled the first look at the 50p piece and a £5 Crown, which will officially be the first coins depicting the new King Charles III.
The King Charles III effigy was crafted by sculptor Martin Jennings, with the official approval of the design already released by the King himself. To keep with tradition, Charles’ effigy faces to the left, which is the opposite direction to the late queen.
The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: “• CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022” which translates to: “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith.”
Charles does not wear a crown on the coin, yet another tradition wherein previous kings also did not don the royal head piece. However, Queen Elizabeth II did wear the crown in the five coins produced during her reign.
The currently existing 29 billion coins featuring the queen circulating in the UK and other countries will remain legal tender but will be phased out over time through use.
The Royal Mint made coins featuring the monarch for over 1,100 years, making it Britain’s oldest company. It stated that the coins will be available to collectors next week and in general use before 2022’s end.
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