UK’s Royal Mint Reveals Coin Portrait Of King Charles III

The official effigy of King Charles III that will appear on coins after taking over from Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled on Friday by Britain’s Royal Mint.

The new king personally approved the effigy which is the work of British sculptor Martin Jennings.

The first coins bearing the king’s portrait will be a special £5 coin and a 50 pence coin commemorating the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

According to Jennings, his portrait was sculpted from a photograph of Charles.

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.”

In line with royal tradition, the portrait of King Charles will face the left, the opposite direction to his late mother.

A Latin inscription surrounding the effigy translates as “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.

The Royal Mint in a statement disclosed that the image of Charles will begin to appear on coins in circulation and commemorative pieces in the coming months.

Two new portraits of Elizabeth will feature on the reverse of the commemorative five-pound coin.

The Royal Mint has been responsible for depicting monarchs on coins for over 1,100 years since Alfred the Great.

Recall that Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 after ruling for 70 years. Elizabeth died on September 8 following a record-breaking 70 years on the throne.

The director of the Royal Mint Museum, Kevin Clancy said the late queen appeared on more coins than any other British monarch.

Clancy said, “Over the coming years it will become common for people to find coins bearing His Majesty and Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy in their change.”

The Royal Mint said historically it had been commonplace for coins featuring the effigies of different monarchs to co-circulate.

“This ensures a smooth transition, with minimal environmental impact and cost.”

There are currently around 27 billion coins circulating in the UK bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Royal Mint added, “These will be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn and to meet the demand for additional coins.”

This article was originally published on Naija News