The Royal Mint, the official maker of fiat coins in the United Kingdom, has confirmed on its website that coins featuring the portrait of King Charles III will be in circulation soon.
All U.K. coins bearing the effigy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be legal tender and in active circulation. It's been commonplace for coins with the effigies of different monarchs to co-circulate. The Royal Mint said that this ensures a smooth transition with minimal environmental impact and cost.
The official coin maker said over the coming weeks it would reveal more details about the coinage of King Charles III.
K. bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal Mint said these will be replaced over time as they become damaged or worn, and to meet the demand for additional coins.
Charles will appear on four bank notes — the 5, 10, 20 and 50 pound notes that are expected to enter circulation by mid- 2024, the Bank of England said in a statement.
As the official coin maker in the UK, Anne Jessopp said, "We have told the story of each monarch since Alfred the Great and are now preparing for the biggest change in British coinage for several decades." Jessopp said the first coins bearing the effigy of Charles would enter circulation in line with demand from banks and post offices.