In anticipation of the upcoming coronation, a new set of commemorative coins will display the very first crowned portrait of King Charles III.
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The coin collection, which includes a 50p and £5 coin, will be released later this month ahead of the historic May 6 celebration of the British king’s crowning.
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The effigy, which was designed by artist and sculptor Martin Jennings, depicts King Charles III wearing the Tudor Crown. The Tudor Crown was personally selected by the King for the portrait despite it no longer existing, having been destroyed in the 1640s.
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This follows the tradition of depicting the crown in portraits of past 20th-century monarchs, such as King George VI, King Charles III’s great-grandfather.
Jennings said he was ‘proud’ to have created the portrait, which he said was ‘both dignified and celebratory for this historic occasion’.
The 50p coin will showcase a depiction of Westminster Abbey created by Natasha Jenkins, The Royal Mint’s in-house designer. The artwork incorporates King Charles’ cypher and crown to signify his presence within the abbey, the location of his coronation.
Designed by Timothy Noad, the £5 coin exhibits the Coronation Regalia, which are the sacred and symbolic items utilized in the coronation ceremony, alongside the St. Edward’s Crown.
The coin collection also contains a number of ounce coins that are available in several editions and sizes, each featuring the crowned portrait of the King on one side and an intricate design by John Bergdahl on the other.
According to Buckingham Palace, the 50p coins will be available to buy from 9am on 24th April for between £11 and £1,220, while the £5 coins are priced between £14.50 and £2,995.
A 1kg solid gold proof coin featuring the designs of Mr Jennings and Mr Bergdahl will also go on sale for £77,565.
The Bank of England says Five million 50ps are also set to enter circulation later in 2023 featuring the original, uncrowned effigy of Charles by Mr Jennings and the commemorative Westminster Abbey drawing by Ms Jenkins.
This follows the five million memorial 50ps that entered circulation after the King ascended the throne.
Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at The Royal Mint, called the range ‘a wonderful keepsake of such a historic occasion’.
She said,
‘This is the first coronation that most of us will ever have seen – it has been 70 years since the last coronation in this country – and we know lots of people are gearing up to have a huge celebration.
‘It is a historic moment for Britain and people are going to want something to remember it by and these coins are the perfect choice for that.
‘The Royal Mint has struck the coins of the monarchy since the times of Alfred the Great. We are marking a moment in history and a new chapter in British coinage.’
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