Three million coins
Charles III shares pound coin with bees
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Little by little, King Charles III is conquering the British financial system – at least as far as banknotes and coins are concerned. The central bank is now issuing almost three million new pound coins bearing the monarch's portrait. The coins also testify to the ruler's passion for environmental protection.
Almost two years after taking office, the face of King Charles III can be seen on British pound coins for the first time. Almost three million of the coins will be put into circulation, the Royal Mint announced. One side of the coin shows a pair of bees. This is intended to emphasize the monarch's passion for environmental protection and nature. The king's official portrait is emblazoned on the reverse. The 50 pence coin, which has been in use since November 2023, features an Atlantic salmon.
“We hope that the designs of all denominations will stimulate important debates about the protection of these important species,” said Rebecca Morgan, the Mint's director. The other coins bearing Charles's image, which will gradually be put into circulation, also emphasise the head of state's commitment to the environment.
The one pence coin features a dormouse and the two pence coin features a red squirrel. The five pence coin features an oak leaf, the ten pence coin features a grouse and the twenty pence coin features a puffin. The two pound coin features the national flowers of the four regions of the United Kingdom: rose (England), daffodil (Wales), thistle (Scotland) and shamrock (Northern Ireland).
A total of 2.975 million one-pound coins will be circulated through banks and post offices. Charles has been British king since the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022. Coins bearing Elizabeth's portrait remain in circulation and are still valid. The king's face has also adorned banknotes since June
