Chance to find ‘a piece of history’ in your change as new King Charles coronation 50p coins rolled out

Fifty pence coins marking the King’s coronation will start appearing in circulation from Thursday, giving people the opportunity to “find a piece of history” in their change, the Royal Mint has announced.

Five million coins, celebrating Charles’s coronation earlier this year, will be received by the Post Office and UK bank branches.

Featuring a design by Royal Mint coin designer Natasha Jenkins, the coins are the second 50ps to enter circulation bearing Charles’s official coin portrait.

The first were the memorial 50 pence pieces, which entered circulation in December 2022, marking the transition from the late Queen to the King.

The reverse (tails) design of the new 50p, created by Ms Jenkins, features Westminster Abbey. At the centre of the design is the King’s official cypher, representing him at Westminster Abbey being crowned King.

The obverse (heads) of the 50p features the King’s official coin portrait which was unveiled in September 2022 and is designed by sculptor Martin Jennings, as well as being personally approved by the King.

The official coin effigy of King Charles III has been unveiled by the Royal Mint. Royal Mint

All 50p coins entering circulation will feature the King’s uncrowned portrait, the Mint said, differing from the commemorative coronation coins that were unveiled earlier this year.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “We are delighted to announce that five million 50p coins produced to mark His Majesty King Charles III’s coronation will enter circulation from today.

“This is a special moment for the nation, as members of the public will have the opportunity to find a piece of history in their change. We anticipate the coronation 50p coins will be highly sought after among coin collectors and members of the public keen to own a piece of British history.

“The Royal Mint has had the honour of striking coins for every British monarch since Alfred the Great and we are proud to continue that long history with the introduction of His Majesty’s official coinage.”

Earlier this year, the Royal Mint unveiled a commemorative coin range marking the coronation. Collectors from 89 countries purchased the coins directly from the Royal Mint.

UK coins bearing the effigy of the late Queen will remain legal tender and in active circulation.

Historically it has been commonplace for coins featuring the effigies of different monarchs to co-circulate. This ensures a smooth transition, with minimal environmental impact and cost, the Mint said.