The coins in your pocket will look different soon - here's why
New designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, 拢1 and 拢2 were unveiled by the Royal Mint last month in the wake of the King's coronation. Production has now begun on the coins - and the first ones could be among people's change by the end of November.
Thursday 2 November 2023 03:32, UK
Production has begun on a new set of coins inspired by the King's "commitment to conservation".
New designs for the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 were unveiled by the Royal Mint last month, with each design highlighting the King's passion for conservation and the natural world.
The numbers indicating the coins' value have been enlarged to help children understand how much they're worth.
This latest production marks the final chapter of the King's transition on to the country's coinage, the Royal Mint said.
The new set of coins will replace the shield formation introduced under Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.
Several million of the new coins are currently in production at the Royal Mint's site in Llantrisant, South Wales.
The first one to enter circulation will be the 50p and could be among people's change by the end of the month.
Other coins are expected to follow from next year.
The inscription on the edge of the new £2 coin was chosen by the King.
It reads "IN SERVITIO OMNIUM", the Latin for "In the service of all", which featured in the monarch's inaugural speech on 9 September last year.
The new coins enter production as the King and Queen visit Kenya this week, where His Majesty said there was "no excuse" for the "unjustifiable violence" of British colonial rule.
Read more:
King says 'no excuse' for British 'acts of violence' in Kenya
Coins marking coronation of Charles III enter circulation
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Director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, Rebecca Morgan, said the introduction of the new coins marked a "rare and historic moment".
She said: "We anticipate the first coins bearing the new designs to be highly collectable, with members of the public checking their change to find these wonderful designs for the very first time."