SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

King Charles III

Coins marking King Charles III’s Coronation enter circulation

The special 50p piece marking the Coronation of King Charles III has now entered circulation.

Five million coins with a special design to commemorate the crowning of The King will come into use over the next few weeks.

Photo by Royal Mint

The first are now in tills at Post Offices and banks and will be handed out in change in the hours ahead.

The special coin features a design by Natasha Jenkins representing the moment that Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

On the other side is the official coin portrait of The King by Martin Jennings.

A commemorative coin marking the Coronation of King Charles III was sold to collectors earlier this year.

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at the Royal Mint said ”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.”

Coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender. They will continue to circulate until they become too damaged or worn to use. It is estimated there are around 27 billion coins with Her Late Majesty on them still in use in the United Kingdom.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.