The first £1 coins featuring the portrait of King Charles III are now entering circulation across the UK, marking a new chapter in the nation’s currency.
Nearly three million of these coins have been distributed to post offices and banks nationwide.
The new £1 coin celebrates the King's reign and his appreciation for the natural world, with the reverse side showcasing a pair of bees. While King Charles's image will now be a common sight on coins, those bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to circulate. New coins are minted based on demand.
"It is an honor to announce that King Charles III’s £1 coin is now in circulation," said Rebecca Morgan, a director at the Royal Mint. "We expect collectors and the public will be eager to acquire this special piece of history."
The reverse side of the £1 coin, featuring bees, is part of a new series of designs that will appear on coins ranging from 1p to £2. Unveiled in October, these designs emphasize the importance of the natural world by depicting various animals, including the red squirrel and the capercaillie grouse. The aim is to raise awareness about the conservation of these species.
Morgan expressed hope that the new designs would inspire conversations about the preservation of these vital species. The designs were developed in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
The size and shape of the coins remain unchanged to ensure compatibility with vending machines, supermarket self-checkouts, and parking meters. However, the numbers on the coins have been enlarged to help children identify them and learn to count.
The Royal Mint, based in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been producing the nation’s coinage since the time of Alfred the Great. While commemorative coins featuring King Charles have been released before, these new designs—officially known as "definitives"—mark the transition to the currency that will be used in everyday transactions.
Definitive coins feature standard designs that typically remain in circulation for years or even decades. The previous definitive set, introduced in 2008 under Queen Elizabeth II, featured a shield formation and will continue to be a dominant presence among the 29 billion coins currently in circulation in the UK. Photo by Steve Cadman from London, U.K., Wikimedia commons.