The Royal Mint has unveiled the official coin effigy of His Majesty King Charles III. The first coins to bear the King’s portrait are a special £5 Crown and 50 pence commemorating the life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The King’s effigy was created by renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings, and has been personally approved by His Majesty. In keeping with tradition, the King’s portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II. The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: ‘• CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022’ which translates to ‘King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith’.
Martin Jennings, Designer of His Majesty King Charles III’s effigy, said: ‘It is a privilege to sculpt the first official effigy of His Majesty and to receive his personal approval for the design. The portrait was sculpted from a photograph of the King, and was inspired by the iconic effigies that have graced Britain’s coins over the centuries. It is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come.’
Dr Kevin Clancy, Director of The Royal Mint Museum and a regular contributor to Coin Collector magazine, said: ‘Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has graced more coins than any other British monarch in a reign that lasted for 70 years. As we move from the Elizabethan to the Carolean era it represents the biggest change to Britain’s coinage in decades, and the first time that many people will have seen a different effigy. Over the coming years it will become common for people to find coins bearing His Majesty and Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy in their change, engaging new generations in the story of Britain’s Royal Family.’
There are approximately 27 billion coins currently circulating in the UK bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. These will be replaced over time as they become
