Coin design

The British Royal Mint has unveiled a coin design featuring Britain's new King Charles III. According to a statement released on Friday, the first 50p coins will go into circulation this December.

By tradition, the monarch's profile will face to the left the other side of where his predecessor looked. The profile of Elizabeth II, who ruled for a record 70 years and seven months in British history, was turned to the right, and her father, King George VI (1895-1952), to the left.

It is noted that Charles III worked closely with sculptor Martin Jennings to develop his relief image for the coins. With a slight modification to account for the new sovereign's name, the inscription on the coins will read "King Charles III, by the grace of God, defender of the faith".

The Royal Mint has announced that Elizabeth II coins will remain in circulation alongside the new coins featuring the King. At present, around 27 billion coins bearing the portrait of the late Queen are in circulation in the United Kingdom.

The Royal Mint has also announced it will release a £5 commemorative coin dedicated to Elizabeth II. It will feature two images of the late Queen at once in her youth and in her old age.

As became known earlier, coins and notes with the images of King Charles III and Elizabeth II will be in joint circulation in the UK and other countries, the head of which remains formally the British monarch.

The banknotes bearing the portrait of the late Elizabeth II will remain legal tender as long as they are not worn or damaged, according to the Bank of England. The decision was made in line with the will of the royal family to minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change of monarch. New banknotes will only be printed to replace worn ones and if demand increases.