It was one of the great expectations since the accession to the throne of Charles III in the United Kingdom: what was going to look like the portrait of the new king who will decorate in the future the British coins, and succeed, in the long term, to that of Elizabeth II who died on September 8 at the age of 96?
The suspense ended on Friday, September 30, when Royal Mint, the body responsible for minting British currency, unveiled two coins bearing the image of the new sovereign. These coins are part of a special series celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II: one for 5 pounds sterling and another for 50 pence. They will come into circulation ” in the coming months “probably around December, said 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 is the smallest work I have ever created”he comments, saying he is touched “by the fact that it will be seen and held by so many people”.
The king looks to the left
“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
The coins with the effigy of the king will bear the inscription in Latin: “CHARLES III. DG REX. FD 5 lbs. 2022 »that is “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.
“All British coins bearing the image of Elizabeth II will remain legal and in circulation. It is customary historically to have coins in the likeness of different monarchs in circulation at the same time.says Royal Mint, which “has affixed the portraits of the royal family to coins for more than 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.
