The first £1 coin featuring Britain’s King Charles III has entered circulation, with collectors encouraged to look out for the historic addition to the nation’s change. Nearly three million of the new designs will be available this week, via post offices and banks throughout the UK. The coin depicts a pair of British bees on the “tails” side, in honour of the king’s passion for conservation and the natural world.
She continued, “The Royal Mint has manufactured the circulating coinage of each of Britain’s monarchs since Alfred the Great, and it is a pleasure to announce that King Charles III’s £1 coin is now in circulation. “We believe there will be a lot of excitement among collectors and the general people to get this unique piece of history in their change.
“We hope that the designs from all denominations will spark important conversations about the conservation of these important species.” Banks and post offices will get 2.975 million one-pound coins, which will circulate alongside those featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy.
The old coins will be replaced as they are damaged or worn. The £1 coin is one of eight designs ranging from one to two pence, all inspired by flora and animals to symbolise the king’s environmental concern. These were developed as new, definitively standardised designs that appear on the majority of official currency.
Following commemorative coins with the king’s likeness, the first Charles III definitive, a 50p picturing an Atlantic fish, was issued in November 2023. The other designs, which will be released in response to demand, are the 1p depicting a hazel dormouse and the 2p red squirrel.
The 5p oak tree leaf, 10p capercailzie grouse, 20p puffin, and 2 pounds featuring the national flowers rose, daffodil, thistle, and shamrock. According to a Royal Mint public poll, the £1 bee coin was the most popular, followed by the 2p red squirrel.
They also include a repeating design of three overlapping Cs, which pays homage to history via the cypher of Charles II. The number identifying the worth of the coin has also been expanded to assist children with their counting abilities. Banknotes featuring the king’s face went into circulation in June, marking the first time the sovereign has been replaced on Bank of England notes.
