Product Owner : The Royal Mint
Coin Denomination/s and Date of Issue
Project Description
In September 2022, The Royal Mint unveiled the official coin effigy of His Majesty King Charles III. The first coins to bear The King’s portrait featured on a £5 Crown and 50 pence commemorating the life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The 50 pence bearing King Charles III portrait, with a reverse design commemorating Queen Elizabeth II entered circulation in Decemeber 2022. A total of 9.6 million 50p’s will enter circulation, a special nod to Queen Elizabeth II’s age.
Innovation and Uniqueness of Design
This is the first official coin portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, and marked one of the biggest changes to UK coinage in decades since decimalisation.
Integration of historical or local content that is relevant to the country
concerned
Marked the begining of nation welcoming their new King as well as commemorating the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II’s incredible reign.
Aesthetic appeal and overall design of the coin or coin series
His Majesty The King’s official coin portrait, was created by renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings, and has been personally approved by His Majesty. In keeping with tradition, The King’s portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II. The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads “• CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D •” which equates to ‘Charles III, by the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith’.
The reverse of the 50 pence features a design that originally appeared on the 1953 Coronation Crown. It was struck to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation at Westminster Abbey, and includes the four quarters of the Royal Arms depicted within a shield. In between each shield is an emblem of the home nations; a rose, a thistle, a shamrock and a leek.
