The first coins bearing King Charles III’s image have been unveiled by the Royal Mint of Great Britain.
Charles’ picture will start to appear in British citizens’ change starting in December as 50-pence coins featuring him gradually enter circulation.
The effigy of the new monarch was made by British sculptor Martin Jennings and has Charles’ personal endorsement, according to the Royal Mint on Friday. Tradition dictates that the king’s image should face to the left, away from that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
According to Chris Barker of the Royal Mint Museum, “Charles has followed the general tradition that we have in British coinage, going all the way back to Charles II actually, whereby the king faces in the opposite direction from their predecessor.”
Charles is shown in an uncrowned state. King Charles III, Defender of the Faith, by the Grace of God, is written in Latin around the image.
On Monday, a unique 5-pound memorial coin will be released to honor Elizabeth’s life and contributions. This coin has Charles on one side and two fresh images of Elizabeth side by side on the reverse.
The Royal Mint, based in South Wales, has been depicting the British royal family on coins for more than 1,100 years, tracing each monarch since Alfred the Great.
According to Anne Jessopp, CEO of the Royal Mint, “Back when we first started making coins, that was the only way that people could know what the monarch actually looked like, not in the days of social media like now.” Therefore, going in the future, King Charles’ image will appear on every coin.
The portrait, according to the sculptor Jennings, was created from a photograph of Charles.
It is the smallest piece I have ever produced, but knowing that people will view and hold it for generations to come is humbling, he said.
After his mother, the longest-reigning monarch in British history passed away on September 8 at the age of 96, Charles succeeded to the throne.
There are presently about 27 billion Elizabeth II-emblazoned coins in circulation in the United Kingdom. All will continue to be in use and be considered legal tender; they will just be replaced over time as they get worn out or broken.
