The official coin effigy of King Charles III has been unveiled by the Royal Mint.

People will start to see the King鈥檚 image in their change from around December, as 50p coins depicting Charles gradually enter circulation to meet demand.

In the meantime the Mint, which is based in Llantrisant, will release a memorial coin range on 3 October at 9am to commemorate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.

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The King鈥檚 portrait will first appear on a special 拢5 Crown and 50p commemorating the Queen.

Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint, said: 鈥淲e expect customers will start to be able to receive the commemorative range from October and then we expect the 50p memorial circulating coin to be appearing in people鈥檚 change probably from December.鈥

The King鈥檚 effigy has been created by sculptor Martin Jennings, and has been personally approved by Charles, the Mint said.

In keeping with tradition, the King鈥檚 portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II.

Chris Barker from the Royal Mint Museum told PA: 鈥淐harles has followed that general tradition that we have in British coinage, going all the way back to Charles II actually, that the monarch faces in the opposite direction to their predecessor.鈥

He described the portrait as: 鈥淒ignified and graceful, which reflects his years of service.鈥

The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: 鈥溾 CHARLES III 鈥 D 鈥 G 鈥 REX 鈥 F 鈥 D 鈥 5 POUNDS 鈥 2022鈥 which translates to: 鈥淜ing Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith鈥.

The official coin effigy of King Charles III on a 拢5 Crown and 50 pence commemorating the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II
The official coin effigy of King Charles III on a 拢5 Crown and 50 pence commemorating the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II

The effigy will start to appear on circulating and commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint over the coming months.

The reverse of the commemorative 拢5 coin features two new portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.

The design was created by artist John Bergdahl in collaboration with the Royal Mint.

It will form part of a wider memorial coin collection.

The reverse of the 50p features a design that originally appeared on the 1953 Coronation Crown.

It was struck to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II鈥檚 coronation at Westminster Abbey, and includes the four quarters of the Royal Arms depicted within a shield.

In between each shield is an emblem of the home nations; a rose, a thistle, a shamrock and a leek.

Based in Llantrisant, the Royal Mint has depicted the Royal Family on coins for over 1,100 years, documenting each monarch since Alfred the Great.

Anne Jessopp, chief executive officer of the Royal Mint, said: 鈥淭he Royal Mint has been trusted to make coins bearing the monarch鈥檚 effigy for over 1,100 years and we are proud to continue this tradition into the reign of King Charles III.

鈥淎lthough technology has progressed, we continue to honour British craftsmanship passed down through the centuries.

鈥淥ur team of skilled modellers, tool makers and engravers will ensure that the King鈥檚 effigy will be faithfully replicated onto millions of coins.

鈥淗er Late Majesty ruled with heart and devotion for 70 years, and this memorial collection commemorates her remarkable legacy as Britain鈥檚 longest-serving monarch.

鈥淭o ensure everyone can hold a piece of history in their hand, the 50p will also enter circulation in the 海角视频.鈥

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Mr Jennings said: 鈥淚t is a privilege to sculpt the first official effigy of His Majesty and to receive his personal approval for the design.

鈥淭he portrait was sculpted from a photograph of the King, and was inspired by the iconic effigies that have graced Britain鈥檚 coins over the centuries.

鈥淚t is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come.鈥

All 海角视频 coins bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender and in active circulation.

Historically it has been commonplace for coins featuring the effigies of different monarchs to co-circulate, helping to minimise the environmental impact and cost.

There are around 27 billion coins currently circulating in the 海角视频 bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

These will be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn and to meet demand for additional coins.

Dr Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said: 鈥淗er Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has graced more coins than any other British monarch in a reign that lasted for 70 years.

鈥淎s we move from the Elizabethan to the Carolean era it represents the biggest change to Britain鈥檚 coinage in decades, and the first time that many people will have seen a different effigy.

鈥淥ver the coming years it will become common for people to find coins bearing His Majesty and Queen Elizabeth II鈥檚 effigy in their change, engaging new generations in the story of Britain鈥檚 Royal Family.鈥

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