By Adedapo Adesanya
On Friday, Britain’s Royal Mint unveiled King Charles III’s official effigy that will appear on coins following his accession to the throne.
The effigy is the work of British sculptor, Mr Martin Jennings, and was personally approved by the new king.
The first coins bearing the king’s portrait will be a special £5 coin and a 50 pence coin commemorating the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mr Jennings said his portrait was sculpted from a photograph of King Charles, in which he is facing left on the coin, in keeping with a tradition that sees each successive monarch switch profile.
In line with royal tradition, King Charles’ portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to his late mother.
He is not wearing a crown, which previous kings also did not, though Queen Elizabeth II did in the five coins produced during her reign.
“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,” he said.
The text on the new coin says “CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022,” a shortening of the Latin “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith.”
The existing 29 billion coins featuring the queen in circulation in the UK, as well as in Commonwealth countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada, will remain legal tender and be phased out naturally and over time with use.
The image of King Charles will begin to appear on coins in circulation and on commemorative pieces in the coming months, the Royal Mint said in a statement.
Two new portraits of Elizabeth will feature on the reverse of the commemorative five pound coin.
The Royal Mint has been responsible for depicting monarchs on coins for over 1,100 years since Alfred the Great.
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 following a record-breaking 70 years on the throne.
Mr Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said the late queen had appeared on more coins than any other British monarch.
“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,” he said.
The Royal Mint said historically, it had been commonplace for coins featuring the effigies of different monarchs to co-circulate.
“This ensures a smooth transition, with minimal environmental impact and cost.”
There are currently around 27 billion coins circulating in the UK bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.
“These will be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn and to meet demand for additional coins,” the Royal Mint added.
The Royal Mint, which has made coins featuring the monarch for over 1,100 years and is Britain’s oldest company, said it would be available to collectors next week and in general use before the end of the year.
King Charles ascended to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, his mother and earlier this week, the palace said the cause of death recorded on her birth certificate was “old age.”
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Dipo Olowookere