Source: CCTV News Client
The Royal Mint released the first batch of coins printed with the portrait of the new King Charles III . According to Associated Press , the face value of this batch of coins is 50p (about 3.9 yuan) and will enter the circulation field around December.
Royal Mint said on September 30 that the portrait of Charles III on the new version of the coin was created by British sculptor Martin Jennings and was approved by the king himself. According to tradition, the face orientation of the British monarch portrait on the coin should be opposite to the previous monarch, so the left face of Charles III is presented on the new coin.
Charles III in the coin portrait did not wear a crown. Jennings said his creation originated from a photo of the king.
The Royal Mint also revealed a 5 pound commemorative coin on the same day. The front is printed with a portrait of Charles III and two portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II are printed side by side on the back. It is scheduled to be released on October 3. Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said that with the new king ascended the throne, “the biggest change in British coins in decades, many will see another portrait of (monarch) on the coins for the first time”.
About 27 billion coins with the portrait of Elizabeth II are still circulating on the British market, and can continue to be used legally until they are gradually replaced.
Elizabeth II died on the 8th of this month in Balmoral Fort, Scotland at the age of 96. She inherited the throne in 1952 and reigned for 70 years. She was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Since Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953, five versions of the Queen's portrait have appeared on coins issued in Britain. British banknotes have used her portrait since 1960.
