New King Charles III coins unveiled - and they'll help children count
The Royal Mint has unveiled a new collection of coins which feature brand new designs and bear the face of King Charles III.
The eight coins - which include 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p 20p 50p £1, and £2 coin - differ from tradition with the designs inspired by plants and animals found across the UK. The new designs reflect the king's passion for conservation and the natural world and were overseen by him.
The 1p depicts a hazel dormouse, the 2p the red squirrel, the 5p an oak tree leaf, the 10p the critically endangered woodland grouse the capercaillie, the 20p a puffin, the 50p a salmon, and the £1 sees two bees.
The new coins will enter circulation towards the end of this year (AFP via Getty Images)The £2 coin features a rose for England, a daffodil for Wales, a thistle for Scotland and a shamrock for Northern Ireland.
The edge inscription of the new £2 coin was chosen by His Majesty and reads "IN SERVITIO OMNIUM", Latin for "In the service of all’". It was taken from The King’s inaugural speech on September 9 2022.
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A repeating pattern of three interlocking C’s features on all of the coins and takes inspiration from history and the cypher of Charles II. The coins also feature larger numbers which makes the coins more accessible.
Rebecca Morgan, director at the Royal Mint, told the BBC that the large numbers would also be "very appealing" to children who are learning to count about the use of money.
An effigy of the king, created by sculptor Martin Jennings and presented by the Royal Mint in 2022, will remain on the coins. In line with British coinage traditions, the king’s portrait faces to the left, in the opposite direction to the late queen.
Each coin has been created with the support of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
The design of the coins all reflect King Charles III passion for nature (AFP via Getty Images)The new designs will replace the current shield formation, which features an emblem of the home nations, a rose, a thistle, a shamrock and a leek, introduced under the former Queen Elizabeth II in 2008. The coins are set to be in circulation across the UK by the end of the year. The older coins will still be legal tender and you will still be able to use them.
The official commemorative set of the new designs will be released by The Royal Mint on October 12 and are priced from £33. You are able to buy these from the Royal Mint website here.
Anne Jessopp, chief executive officer of The Royal Mint said, “This is a rare and historic moment as the complete set of UK coins change to celebrate a new monarch on the throne. The striking designs have been seen by His Majesty and reflect his commitment to conservation and the natural world, as well as celebrating British craftsmanship.
“The Royal Mint has struck Britain’s coins for 1,100 years and this collection will proudly take its place amongst the designs of monarchs ranging from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II. A unique pattern of interlocking C’s adorns each of the new designs. This unifying feature gives a nod to history through the cypher of Charles II while celebrating King Charles III’s commitment to conservation.”
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