The Royal Mint has presented the first British coins bearing the picture of King Charles. The King, in accordance with tradition, is depicted looking in the opposite direction from his late mother Queen Elizabeth.
The new image will appear on 50 pence coins and the commemorative 5-pound coins
The new image will appear on 50 pence ($0.55) coins that will start entering circulation soon. It will also appear on a commemorative 5-pound coin that also has two new portraits of Elizabeth on the reverse. The king has traditionally been depicted on coins facing the other way from their predecessor since the monarchy was restored in 1660 after Oliver Cromwell’s 10-year republic.
The official image of Charles was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings and features him looking to the left. The King gave his personal approval for the same. A Latin inscription that reads “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith” surrounds the portrait.
“The portrait was sculpted from a photograph of the King. It was inspired by the iconic effigies that have graced Britain’s coins over the centuries,” Jennings said. “It is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come.”
Queen is featured on about 27 billion coins
After 70 years as queen, Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8 at the age of 96. She is featured on about 27 billion coins, which are still considered legal tender despite being phased out over time.
“As we move from the Elizabethan to the Carolean era it represents the biggest change to Britain’s coins in decades and the first time that many people will have seen a different effigy,” said Kevin Clancy, director of The Royal Mint Museum.
