King Charles coin portrait unveiled ahead of new money going into circulation

ok.co.uk:

The official coin effigy of King Charles III has been unveiled by the Royal Mint. People will start to see the King’s image in their change from around December, as 50p coins depicting Charles gradually enter circulation to meet demand.

In the meantime, the Mint will release a memorial coin range on Monday 3 October at 9am to commemorate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 8 September aged 96.

The King’s portrait will first appear on a special £5 Crown and 50p commemorating the Queen. Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint told the PA News agency: “We 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’s change probably from December.” The King’s effigy has been created by sculptor Martin Jennings, and has been personally approved by Charles, the Mint said.

In keeping with tradition, the King’s portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II. Chris Barker from the Royal Mint Museum told PA: “Charles 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.” He described the portrait as: “Dignified and graceful, which reflects his years of service.” The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: “• CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022” which translates to: “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.The effigy will start to appear on circulating and commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint over the coming months.