The first coins with the portrait of Charles III, who became king after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, goes into circulation in the United Kingdom today, according to an official announcement.
The new coins worth 50 pence (almost 58 euro cents) make their appearance at post offices across the country, "which will receive 4.9 million of them," the Royal Mint explained.
The unveiling of the official portrait depicted on these coins, the work of sculptor Martin Jennings, had taken place at the end of September. It was made from a photograph and approved by the king.
As tradition would have it, the face of the new king is turned in the opposite direction to that of the monarch who preceded him. Charles therefore faces to the left, while the image of Queen Elizabeth II was turned to the right.
The reverse of the coins features a motif commemorating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, which depicts the royal coat of arms and the emblems of the four nations that make up the United Kingdom. This motif already existed on coins minted at the time. The coronation of Charles III will take place on 6 May.
A total of 9.6 million new coins will initially be put into circulation. Around 27 billion coins are currently in circulation in the UK, bearing the portrait of the late Elizabeth II: they will remain in circulation and will not be replaced unless damaged or worn.
The first banknotes bearing the image of the new king will come into circulation in mid-2024 and will also gradually replace those bearing the portrait of Elizabeth II when the latter wear out.
Source: APE-MPA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
