Portrait of King Charles III for future British coins unveiled

Presentation to the press, on September 29, 2022, in London, of the future British coins: on the left that of 50 pence, and on the right the commemorative one of 5 pounds, which will be among the first to display the portrait of the new King Charles III. ALASTAIR GRANT / AP 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 adorn British coins in the future, and succeed, to 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 enter circulation “in the next few months”, probably around December, specifies Royal Mint in a press release. Read also: Queen Elizabeth II died of “old age”, according to her death certificate The official portrait that will decorate future coins bearing the effigy of Charles III, the work of sculptor Martin Jennings, was designed from a picture, 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.” The king looks to the left The new portrait of King Charles III created by British sculptor Martin Jennings, during a presentation in London, September 29, 2022. TOM HARRISON / AFP “According to tradition, the portrait of the king looks to the left , opposite direction of Queen Elizabeth II” on the portrait which 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”, or “King Charles III, by the grace of god, defender of the faith” – one of the titles of the sovereign. The reverse of the 5 pound commemorative coin will feature two new portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist John Bergdahl in collaboration with Royal Mint. Read also: In the United Kingdom, the first banknotes bearing the image of Charles III will enter circulation in mid-2024 “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. The World with AFP