With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, the people of Britain not only mourned the loss of an icon, but the nation had to wrap its head around the idea of a new monarch. For more than two generations, Britons have known only Queen Elizabeth II as a figurehead for their nation as she provided a steady hand for the country from 1952 to 2022. With the rise of King Charles III, the Royal Mint is now catching up and releasing its major bullion coins with a portrait of the new king.
A New King, a New Portrait
After five different portraits of Queen Elizabeth II graced Royal Mint coinage, her son Charles now ascends to the throne and to British currency as King Charles III. The first design to feature in his reign comes from Martin Jennings and reflects His Majesty in left-profile relief. Notably, the design comes without a crown on his head. Though the inscriptions will vary by coin program and weight, you can expect to find CHARLES III and D.G. REX F.D. on the obverse of the coins.
Changing of the Guard
Historically, the Royal Mint does two things to change its monarch portraits when one reign ends and another begins. Beyond the obvious approach of changing the image of the actual monarch, the Royal Mint always changes the orientation of the portrait and may change the features included within. King Charles III, like his mother before him, features in the opposite orientation from his predecessor.
If you go back to his grandfather, King George VI, he was shown in left-profile relief. By contrast, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was shown in right-profile relief. Charles III now features in left-profile relief to continue the tradition of flipping the orientation of the portrait. Another design change comes with Charles III’s ascension. Her Late Majesty was always depicted wearing a crown, while Charles III continues the common tradition for male monarchs in lacking a crown.
What Coins are Available with Charles III?
While the process of changing over coin designs to the portrait of King Charles III is ongoing at the Royal Mint, its most important and visible programs are now starting to release coins to retailers with the new King Charles III portrait. British Britannia coins in gold, silver, and platinum are the first to feature a broad release. The Gold Sovereign is currently available with the standard Sovereign featuring Charles III, as well as Proof Memorial Sovereigns in the Sovereign, Half Sovereign, Quarter Sovereign, and Piedfort options.
Add a New Generation to your Royal Mint Coinage with King Charles III Coins
Provident Metals now has the early coins with King Charles III’s portrait available to you for purchase online. Please contact us if you have any questions by calling 800-313-3315, chatting with us live online, or simply sending us an email. You can follow us on social media and keep up with our blog posts for more information on precious metals.
