The first coins bearing the likeness of Britain’s King Charles III have entered circulation in the UK.
This was announced by the Royal Mint, the official producer of UK banknotes and coins. The new 50-pence piece features an effigy of Charles, who became king after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September.
The Royal Mint is initially releasing 4.9 million of the coins via transactions made at the country’s postal offices. Millions more will eventually enter use, with King Charles’s head featured on all denominations.
Charles’s head faces left, in line with a tradition that the new monarch looks the opposite way to their predecessor.
The effigy is the work of British sculptor Martin Jennings and was personally approved by the King.
The reverse side celebrates the life and legacy of Elizabeth, using the coin design for her coronation in 1953.