Royal Mint unveils first coins to feature King Charles III
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Royal Mint has unveiled the first coins to feature the portrait of King Charles III.
Britons will begin to see Charles’ image in their change around December, as 50-pence coins depicting him gradually enter circulation.
The new monarch’s effigy was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and has been personally approved by Charles, the Royal Mint said Friday. In keeping with tradition, the king’s portrait faces to the left — the opposite direction to his mother’s, Queen Elizabeth II.
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Royal Mint unveils first coins to feature King Charles IIIAlastair Grant
Two new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Alastair GrantTwo new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Royal Mint unveils first coins to feature King Charles IIIAlastair Grant
Two new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Alastair GrantTwo new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Royal Mint unveils first coins to feature King Charles IIIAlastair Grant
The template created by British sculptor Martin Jennings for the official portrait of King Charles III for use on coins on display during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Two new coins bearing the kings portrait were displayed a commemorative 5 pound coin, and a new 50 pence coin. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Alastair GrantThe template created by British sculptor Martin Jennings for the official portrait of King Charles III for use on coins on display during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Two new coins bearing the kings portrait were displayed a commemorative 5 pound coin, and a new 50 pence coin. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Royal Mint unveils first coins to feature King Charles IIIAlastair Grant
Two new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Alastair GrantTwo new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Royal Mint unveils first coins to feature King Charles IIIAlastair Grant
A member of staff from the Royal Mint holds up a new commemorative Five pound coin bearing the official coinage portrait of King Charles III, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Alastair GrantA member of staff from the Royal Mint holds up a new commemorative Five pound coin bearing the official coinage portrait of King Charles III, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Royal Mint unveils first coins to feature King Charles IIIAlastair Grant
The obverse of two new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Alastair GrantThe obverse of two new coins bearing official coinage portrait of King Charles III, on the left is the new 50 pence coin, and right is the new 5 pound commemorative coin, which will be among the first coins to bear the new king's head, during a press preview in London, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The likeness of the king was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, and approved by the king. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Photos: The funeral, final procession of Queen Elizabeth IIHannah Mckay
Britain's King Charles III and Prince William attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, at the Westminster Abbey in London Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)
Hannah MckayBritain's King Charles III and Prince William attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, at the Westminster Abbey in London Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)
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Photos: The funeral, final procession of Queen Elizabeth IIVadim Ghirda
Military personnel parade as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried following her funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, Pool)
Vadim GhirdaMilitary personnel parade as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried following her funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, Pool)
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Photos: The funeral, final procession of Queen Elizabeth IIVadim Ghirda
Police and military personnel parade as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried following her funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, Pool)
Vadim GhirdaPolice and military personnel parade as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is carried following her funeral service in Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, Pool)
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Photos: The funeral, final procession of Queen Elizabeth IIHannah Mckay
Britain's King Charles III leaves after attending the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, at the Westminster Abbey in London Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)
Hannah MckayBritain's King Charles III leaves after attending the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, at the Westminster Abbey in London Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP)
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The piper who woke the Queen up every morning is playing her to restAaron Chown
Emma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as the Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel, in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Aaron Chown/Pool photo via AP)
Aaron ChownEmma, the monarch's fell pony, stands as the Ceremonial Procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Windsor Castle for the Committal Service at St George's Chapel, in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Aaron Chown/Pool photo via AP)
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The piper who woke the Queen up every morning is playing her to restAlastair Grant
Flowers cover the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it arrives on the Albert Road outside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)
Alastair GrantFlowers cover the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it arrives on the Albert Road outside Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)
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The piper who woke the Queen up every morning is playing her to restGlyn Kirk
Britain's Prince Andrew, left, stands with the Queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, inside Windsor Castle, ahead of the Committal Service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, in Windsor, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Glyn Kirk/Pool Photo via AP)
Glyn KirkBritain's Prince Andrew, left, stands with the Queen's corgis, Muick and Sandy, inside Windsor Castle, ahead of the Committal Service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, in Windsor, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Glyn Kirk/Pool Photo via AP)
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The piper who woke the Queen up every morning is playing her to restJoe Giddens
Middle row, third from left, King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, Vice Adm. Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice; front row from left, Prince Edward, the Duke of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn; top row, from left, George Windsor, the Earl of St Andrews, Sylvana Palma Windsor, the Countess of St Andrews, attend the committal service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Joe Giddens/Pool Photo via AP)
Joe GiddensMiddle row, third from left, King Charles III, Camilla, the Queen Consort, Princess Anne, Vice Adm. Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice; front row from left, Prince Edward, the Duke of Wessex, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn; top row, from left, George Windsor, the Earl of St Andrews, Sylvana Palma Windsor, the Countess of St Andrews, attend the committal service for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022. (Joe Giddens/Pool Photo via AP)
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The piper who woke the Queen up every morning is playing her to restDominic Lipinski
From left, Prince Charles, Prince George, Catherine, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte attend the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP)
Dominic LipinskiFrom left, Prince Charles, Prince George, Catherine, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte attend the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in central London, Monday Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP)
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The piper who woke the Queen up every morning is playing her to restVictoria Jones
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, is carried in by the Bearer Party, during the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II held in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Monday Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (Victoria Jones/Pool Photo via AP)
Victoria JonesThe coffin of Queen Elizabeth II draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, is carried in by the Bearer Party, during the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II held in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Monday Sept. 19, 2022. The Queen, who died aged 96 on Sept. 8, will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip, who died last year. (Victoria Jones/Pool Photo via AP)
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“Charles has followed that general tradition that we have in British coinage, going all the way back to Charles II actually, that the monarch faces in the opposite direction to their predecessor,” said Chris Barker at the Royal Mint Museum.
Charles is depicted without a crown. A Latin inscription surrounding the portrait translates to “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith.”
A separate memorial 5-pound coin remembering the life and legacy of Elizabeth will be released Monday. One side of this coin features Charles, while the reverse side features two new portraits of Elizabeth side by side.
Based in south Wales, the Royal Mint has depicted Britain’s royal family on coins for over 1,100 years, documenting each monarch since Alfred the Great.
“When first we used to make coins, that was the only way that people could know what the monarch actually looked like, not in the days of social media like now,” said Anne Jessopp, chief executive of the Royal Mint. “So the portrait of King Charles will be on each and every coin as we move forward.”
Jennings, the sculptor, said the portrait was sculpted from a photo of Charles.
“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,” he said.
Charles acceded to the throne Sept. 8 upon the death of his mother, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who died at age 96.
Around 27 billion coins bearing Elizabeth II’s image currently circulate in the United Kingdom All will remain legal tender and be in active circulation, to be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn.
