The portrait of King Charles III for future coins bearing his likeness was unveiled on Friday by the body responsible for producing British currency, Royal Mint.
This portrait will appear on two coins in a special series celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II: one for 5 pounds sterling and another for 50 pence.
They will enter circulation “in the next few months”, probably around December, specifies Royal Mint in a press release.
The official portrait that will decorate future coins bearing the effigy of Charles III, the work of sculptor Martin Jennings, was designed from a photo and approved by the king.
"It's the smallest work I've ever created," he comments, saying he's touched "by the fact that it will be seen and held by so many people."
"According to tradition, the portrait of the king looks to the left, the opposite direction of Queen Elizabeth II" on the portrait that adorns the coins in circulation for the moment, specifies Royal Mint.
We are proud to unveil the first official coin portrait of King Charles III which has been designed by Martin Jennings FRSS and personally approved by His Majesty.
The first coins to feature the effigy are part of a memorial collection for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
pic.twitter.com/umrUBbUCBr
— The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) September 29, 2022
The coins bearing the effigy of the king will bear the inscription in Latin: “CHARLES III.
DG REX.
FD 5 lbs.
2022", or "King Charles III, by the grace of God, defender of the faith" - one of the titles of the sovereign.
The reverse of the commemorative 5-pound coin will feature two new portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist John Bergdahl in collaboration with Royal Mint.
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“All British coins bearing the image of Elizabeth II will remain legal and in circulation.
It is common historically to have coins featuring different monarchs in circulation at the same time,” says Royal Mint, which “has been putting royal family portraits on coins for over 1,100 years.”
The organization specifies that there are currently 27 billion coins in the United Kingdom with the effigy of Elizabeth II and that they will be replaced over time, when they are damaged.