Royal Mint unveils King Charles III first portrait on coin following Queen’s death
It has been made public for the first time what King Charles III looks like on currency.
The first new coin to feature the new king will be the 50p coin, which will go into circulation in December.
According to MyLondon, the King’s image will first start appearing on a unique £5 Crown and 50p coins honoring the Queen.
“We think customers to be able to receive the commemorative range from October,” said Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer of the Royal Mint. “We expect the 50p memorial circulating coin to be appearing in people’s change probably from December.”
The King’s portrait was carved by Martin Jennings, and according to the Mint, Charles personally approved of it.
Chris Barker from the Royal Mint Museum said: “Charles has followed that general tradition that we have in British coinage, going all the way back to Charles II actually, that the monarch faces in the opposite direction to their predecessor.”
He described the portrait as: “Dignified and graceful, which reflects his years of service”.
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”.
