The first British coins bearing the likeness of King Charles III were issued by the Royal Mint, with the portrait of the new monarch facing that of his mother, Queen Isabel, in keeping with tradition.
The new image will appear on the 50-cent coin (57 euro cents), which will go into circulation in the coming months, and on the commemorative five-pound coin (€5.70), which features two new portraits of Isabelle. Its reverse.
Since the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, ten years after Oliver Cromwell’s republic, it Tradition has it that the king was depicted on coins facing the opposite direction to his predecessor.
The King personally approved the official portrait, as it was a work by British sculptor Martin Jennings. The image is surrounded by a Latin inscription which translates to “King Charles III, by the grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.
“The portrait was carved from a photograph of the king Inspired by miniature figures It has adorned British coins for centuries,” said Jennings. “This is the smallest work I have ever created, but I humbly know that it will be seen and cherished by people around the world for centuries to come.”
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne. About 27 billion coins bearing his image are in circulation and will continue to be, as they are phased out.
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