London: The United Kingdom unveiled its new coins featuring the portrait of King Charles III. Keeping with the tradition, the new monarch faces the opposite direction to his late mother Queen Elizabeth.
The new image will appear on 50 pence coins, which will begin circulating in the coming months.
According to a BBC report, King Charles personally approved the effigy, and was understood to be pleased with the likeness.
As with previous British kings, the King Charles portrait, in the new coin, wears no crown.
Taking to its Twitter account, The Royal Mint said, “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 first coins to feature the effigy are part of a memorial collection for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
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 first coins to feature the effigy are part of a memorial collection for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/umrUBbUCBr
— The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) September 29, 2022
The image is surrounded by a Latin inscription which translates as “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.
The coins will be sold to collectors by The Royal Mint from early next week. The 50p coin will be available for general use well before the end of the year, distributed according to demand by banks, building societies and post offices, the report said.
They will co-circulate with coins featuring the late Queen, so those 27 billion coins will still be accepted in shops.
