The portrait of King Charles III. future coins bearing his likeness was unveiled on Friday by the Royal Mint, the body responsible for minting British coins.
This portrait will appear on two coins in a special series celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II: one for £5 and one for 50p. They will come into circulation “in the coming months”, likely around December, the Royal Mint said in a press release.
The official portrait that future coins will bear the likeness of Charles III. will adorn, the work of sculptor Martin Jennings, was designed from a photograph and approved by the King.
“It’s the smallest work I’ve ever created,” he comments, saying he’s touched “by the fact that so many people have seen it and held it in their hands.”
“According to tradition, the King’s portrait looks to the left, in the opposite direction from Queen Elizabeth II.” on the portrait that currently adorns the coins in circulation, specifies Royal Mint
The coins with the king’s portrait bear the Latin inscription: “KARL III. DG REX. FD 5 pounds. 2022″ or “King Charles III, by the Grace of God Defender of the Faith” – one of the titles of rulers.
The reverse of the £5 commemorative coin will feature two new portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist John Bergdahl in collaboration with the Royal Mint.
“All British coins bearing the likeness of Elizabeth II will remain legal and in circulation. It is historically common to have coins bearing the image of different monarchs in circulation at the same time,” states the Royal Mint, which “has been affixing portraits of the royal family to coins for more than 1,100 years”.
The organization states that there are currently 27 billion coins bearing the effigy of Elizabeth II in the UK and that over time they will be replaced if damaged.