First-ever crowned portrait of King Charles to feature on new Coronation coins
For the first time, a crowned portrait depicting King Charles will be featured on commemorative coins to mark the coronation.
The coin collection includes a 50p coin and a PS5 coin. It will be available later in the month, ahead of the historic May 6 celebrations of the crowning of the British monarch.
The effigy, designed by artist and sculptor Martin Jennings, depicts King Charles III wearing the Tudor Crown.
The King personally selected the Tudor Crown for the portrait despite it no longer existing, having been destroyed in the 1640s.
It continues the tradition of using the crown in portraits of previous monarchs, starting in the 20th century. This includes King George VI’s great-grandfather.
Jennings stated that he was proud to have created the portrait. He said it was both dignified and celebratory for this historic occasion.
The Royal Mint’s resident artist Natasha Jenkins will draw Westminster Abbey on the 50p coin. To symbolize King Charles being in the abbey, where he will be crowned, the image also features King Charles’ cipher & crown.
The £5 coin features a design by Timothy Noad of the sacred and symbolic objects used in the coronation ceremony, known as the Coronation Regalia, and the St Edward’s Crown.
The coin collection also contains several ounce coins 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 9 am on April 24 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.
‘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 many people are gearing up to have a huge celebration,’ she said.
‘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.’
She added: ‘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.’
