The Royal Mint has released the designs for the first two coins to be issued with the name and portrait of King Charles III. They are a 50p piece and a crown - now valued at £5 rather than 5/- - to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II.
There are reports about the coins from the BBC News website at First coins featuring King Charles are unveiled and from Sky News at Coins featuring portrait of King Charles unveiled - as Royal Mint reveals when they will enter circulation
I read somewhere a while ago that a new coin portrait had been created for the then future King, hence the speed with which the Royal Mint can produce these two new coins.
The obverse bears the King’s portrait, facing left in the tradition of alternating the royal profile in each reign and the inscription in Latin. Like his mother the monarch’s name is in English, whereas before 1952 it was latinised. The portrait and design has a classic quality, reminiscent of the coins of King George VI and the later issues of King George V.
The reverse of the 50p re-uses the design from the 1953 Coronation crown, used again in the 1960 minting. This still looks very good and, scaled down, fits the shape of the coin well. Whether it might be retained as the standard reverse had not been said but it would be very suitable. It certainly fits well with the theme of the Spring Tide royal visits in the first week of the reign.
The design of the reverse on the £5 piece is also good and dignified despite its relative complexity with two images of the late Queen.
Both auger well for future regular issues of coins, and might reflect the new King’s interest in the visual arts. His potential role as a patron in that sphere was highlighted by Simon Heffer in an article in the Daily Telegraph which can be seen at The King of culture: why Charles III will be good for the arts
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