LONDON: The first currency with King Charles III will begin to appear in circulation at post offices across the UK from Thursday, with millions of new 50p coins bearing the portrait of the new monarch being released to customers.
The piece bearing the effigy of the 74-year-old monarch reflects a transition between the Elizabethan age from the late Queen Elizabeth II to the Carolean era of Charles, with the coin also commemorating the Queen’s life and legacy on the reverse.
“Today marks a new era for British coinage, with the effigy of King Charles III appearing on 50ps in circulation. This is a fantastic opportunity for coin collectors to add to or add to their collections. creating one for the first time,” said Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint.
“We foresee the emergence of a new generation of coin collectors, with people watching their change closely to try and spot a new 50p that bears the portrait of our new king. The Royal Mint has been renowned for making coins featuring the likeness of the monarch for over 1,100 years and we are proud to continue this tradition during the reign of King Charles III,” she said.
A total of 9.6 million 50p will come into circulation, with the rest coming in as demand dictates.
According to the Royal Mint, a commemorative version of the coin released in October saw a record number of visitors to its website within 24 hours.
“It is a huge honor for the Post and for the Postmasters that the first coin depicting King Charles III has come into circulation through our extensive network of branches,” said Nick Read, Managing Director of the Post.
“December is our busiest time of the year, so the coin will enter our network on a gradual basis. If you don’t receive the new 50p in your change on your first visit to a post office, you may ‘get in your change on a later visit, so watch it,’ he said.
From this week, Post Office branches across the country will receive the first batch of 4.9million 50p coins bearing the King’s portrait, including the Aldwych branch which is close to Clarence House in London – the official residence of King Charles III.
The portrait was created by the famous British sculptor Martin Jennings and was personally approved by Charles.
In keeping with tradition, the King’s portrait faces left, away from his late mother Queen Elizabeth II.
The reverse, or tail side, of the 50 pence features a design that originally appeared on the 1953 Coronation Crown, struck to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey and includes four quarters of the coat of arms royals represented in a shield.
Between each shield is an emblem of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom – a rose for England, a thistle for Scotland, a shamrock for Northern Ireland and a leek for Wales.
All British coins bearing the portrait, or effigy, of Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal and in active circulation, as historically it has been common for coins bearing the likenesses of different monarchs to co-circulate.
This ensures a smooth transition, with minimal environmental impact and cost, the Royal Mint said.
There are around 27 billion coins in circulation in the UK bearing the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II, to be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn out. Other denominations of coins will be made with the effigy of the King according to demand.
The piece bearing the effigy of the 74-year-old monarch reflects a transition between the Elizabethan age from the late Queen Elizabeth II to the Carolean era of Charles, with the coin also commemorating the Queen’s life and legacy on the reverse.
“Today marks a new era for British coinage, with the effigy of King Charles III appearing on 50ps in circulation. This is a fantastic opportunity for coin collectors to add to or add to their collections. creating one for the first time,” said Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint.
“We foresee the emergence of a new generation of coin collectors, with people watching their change closely to try and spot a new 50p that bears the portrait of our new king. The Royal Mint has been renowned for making coins featuring the likeness of the monarch for over 1,100 years and we are proud to continue this tradition during the reign of King Charles III,” she said.
A total of 9.6 million 50p will come into circulation, with the rest coming in as demand dictates.
According to the Royal Mint, a commemorative version of the coin released in October saw a record number of visitors to its website within 24 hours.
“It is a huge honor for the Post and for the Postmasters that the first coin depicting King Charles III has come into circulation through our extensive network of branches,” said Nick Read, Managing Director of the Post.
“December is our busiest time of the year, so the coin will enter our network on a gradual basis. If you don’t receive the new 50p in your change on your first visit to a post office, you may ‘get in your change on a later visit, so watch it,’ he said.
From this week, Post Office branches across the country will receive the first batch of 4.9million 50p coins bearing the King’s portrait, including the Aldwych branch which is close to Clarence House in London – the official residence of King Charles III.
The portrait was created by the famous British sculptor Martin Jennings and was personally approved by Charles.
In keeping with tradition, the King’s portrait faces left, away from his late mother Queen Elizabeth II.
The reverse, or tail side, of the 50 pence features a design that originally appeared on the 1953 Coronation Crown, struck to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey and includes four quarters of the coat of arms royals represented in a shield.
Between each shield is an emblem of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom – a rose for England, a thistle for Scotland, a shamrock for Northern Ireland and a leek for Wales.
All British coins bearing the portrait, or effigy, of Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal and in active circulation, as historically it has been common for coins bearing the likenesses of different monarchs to co-circulate.
This ensures a smooth transition, with minimal environmental impact and cost, the Royal Mint said.
There are around 27 billion coins in circulation in the UK bearing the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II, to be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn out. Other denominations of coins will be made with the effigy of the King according to demand.
