King Charles III £1 coin enters circulation

This week marks an exciting moment as the first £1 coins featuring the portrait of King Charles III are being released into circulation. Nearly three million of these coins have been distributed to post offices and banks throughout the country. These new coins not only signify the beginning of King Charles's reign but also highlight his passion for the natural world, with the reverse side of the coin showcasing a pair of bees. While King Charles's image will soon become a common sight on currency, coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be in circulation for the foreseeable future. The Royal Mint produces new sets of coins based on public demand. Rebecca Morgan, the director at the Royal Mint, expressed her excitement, stating, 'It is an honour to reveal that King Charles III’s £1 coin is now in circulation. ' She anticipates that collectors and the general public will be thrilled to find this unique piece of history in their change. The reverse side of the £1 coin prominently features bees, which are part of a series of eight new designs that will appear on coins ranging from 1p to £2. Each coin's tails side will depict various plants and animals native to the country. Among the animals represented are the red squirrel and the capercaillie grouse, emphasizing the significance and vulnerability of the natural world. Ms. Morgan hopes that these designs will inspire 'important conversations about the conservation of these important species. ' The creation of each coin involved collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The size and shape of the coins will remain unchanged, which is crucial due to the ongoing use of coins in vending machines, supermarket self-checkouts, and parking meters. However, the numbers on the coins have been enlarged to assist children in recognizing figures and learning to count. The Royal Mint, located in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been responsible for producing the circulating coinage for each of Britain's monarchs since the time of Alfred the Great. Although commemorative coins featuring King Charles have been in circulation, these new designs, known as definitives, represent a shift to everyday currency. Definitive coins feature standard designs that remain unchanged for many years or even decades. The previous set of coins, which featured a shield design, was introduced under Queen Elizabeth II in 2008 and will continue to dominate the 29 billion coins currently in circulation in the UK for some time.