Royal Mint unveils new coin design inspired by King Charles

The Royal Mint has released a fresh batch of coins that feature the likeness of the king. This diverges from their usual practice of using flora and fauna motifs from the four countries.

King Charles supervised the creation of eight different designs that showcase the plants and animals found in various regions of the UK. These designs are a reflection of his passion for preserving nature and protecting wildlife.

The one-penny coin shows a cute little dormouse with a brown coat, while the two-penny piece presents a red squirrel in its full glory. The five-penny coin has the image of a leaf from an oak tree, and the ten-penny coin showcases a rare woodland bird known as the capercaillie, which is in danger of extinction. The twenty-penny coin displays a lovely bird called a puffin, and the fifty-penny coin represents a silver salmon. The one-pound coin bears the likeness of two buzzing bees, and the two-pound coin features the national flowers of the four countries in the United Kingdom: an English rose, a Welsh daffodil, a Scottish thistle, and a Northern Irish shamrock.

The upcoming coin designs will eventually take over the present shield. The existing emblem portrays the home nations through a rose, a thistle, a shamrock, and a leek. It was initially introduced during Queen Elizabeth II's reign in 2008.

By the conclusion of this year, coins varying from 1p to £2 shall be available for distribution.

The Royal Mint will keep the statue of the king, which was made by the artist Martin Jennings and given to them in 2022, on the coins. Following the usual British coin-making customs, the king’s image will point towards the left, while the queen's did the opposite.

According to Chris Barker, who holds the post of information and research manager at the Royal Mint Museum, heraldry has traditionally been the main theme in the design of British colonies.

For centuries now, the main theme has remained the same with only a few deviations. The current time marks a significant moment in the course of British coinage history as there has been a complete transformation in focus, with the emphasis now on showcasing flora and fauna.

He included, "These coins are significantly representative of our current time. They originate from the era marked by climate change and highlight the monarch responsible for their issuance. Charles has devoted a substantial part of his life to nature and the preservation of the environment."

All of the coins have a recurring design that includes three C's that are interlocked, taking inspiration from both history and Charles II's monogram. Additionally, the coins have larger numbers which make them easier to read and use, according to the speaker. These numbering designs are a departure from previous coin designs.

The chief commercial officer of the Royal Mint, Nicola Howell, stated that their goal is to involve younger generations not only in numerical skills but also in the importance of money. They intend to provide information about coins that can spark conversations and interest.

She stated that the large graphical digits will aid visitors who are not knowledgeable about the British currency, and the patterns enable all to appreciate the beauty of British flora and fauna. She further expressed her expectation that the coins would inspire curiosity about preserving the natural environment and initiate dialogues among the public.

The £2 coin has a Latin phrase on its border that was handpicked by the king. The phrase is In servitio omnium, meaning "In the service of all," and it was taken from a speech the king made during his inauguration in September the previous year.

Gordon Summers, who is the head engraver at the Royal Mint, supervised the creation of the coins with the assistance of an advisory committee at the Royal Mint. The RHS and the RSPB offered their assistance in the production of the coins.