By Ezekiel David
A new era in British currency has begun with the introduction of the first £1 coins featuring King Charles III’s likeness into circulation across the UK.
Nearly three million coins, distributed to post offices and banks, feature a design celebrating the King’s passion for the natural world, with a prominent depiction of bees on the reverse side.
“It is an honour to reveal that King Charles III’s £1 coin is now in circulation,” said Rebecca Morgan, director at the Royal Mint. “We know there’ll be a buzz of excitement amongst collectors and the public to get this special piece of history in their change.”
Eight new designs with a nature theme are available for denominations ranging from 1p to £2, including the bee design.
The coins, which were made in cooperation with the Royal Horticultural Society and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, promote the value of conservation by featuring British flora and wildlife, such as red squirrels and capercaillie grouse.
The Queen Elizabeth II coins will continue to be in use until the new ones go into circulation because new coins are only made in response to demand. To guarantee interoperability with vending machines and other automated systems, the coins’ size and form stay the same.