CORONATION 50p FIRST LOOK: King Charles Crowned Portrait Revealed
The FIRST crowned coin portrait of King Charles III has JUST been revealed as a special effigy for the UK’s coronation coin range.
The coins will be available from 9am on 24.04.2023 on Westminster Collection’s website but you’ll need to get ahead of the crowd if you want to add them to your collection…
Below, I explain why these 50p and £5 coins are sure to become some of the most sought-after EVER…
First King Charles Crowned Portrait
In a unique collecting opportunity, the UK Coronation coins feature the very first crowned portrait of His Majesty.
King Charles III’s uncrowned portrait has been used on recent UK coins, stamps, and banknotes – maintaining a tradition for male monarchs which dates back centuries.
So, what does this mean for the unusual inclusion of a crowned portrait on the coronation coin range?
These coins will be truly unique; they could be some of the only coins ever issued to feature His Majesty wearing a crown.
UK Coronation Coin Designs
As well as the obverse design, we’ve got a first look at the reverse design of the Coronation 50p and £5 coins.
50p
The Coronation 50p is truly the first of its kind. Never before has the UK seen a Coronation 50p.
The brand new reverse shows a section of Westminster Abbey, where His Majesty will be crowned on the 6th May 2023.
This is set against the Royal Cypher, featuring the same crown that His Majesty can be seen wearing on the obverse design.
£5
The £5 coin shows a depiction of the St Edward’s Crown accompanied by the sovereign’s sceptre with dove and the sovereign’s sceptre with cross.
It also features the inscription, “THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6 MAY 2023”.
50p to enter circulation!
And, the best news is that 5 million 50ps will enter circulation later this year, featuring the original, uncrowned effigy by Martin Jennings.
This follows the five million memorial 50ps that have already entered circulation – the very first 50p to feature King Charles III’s portrait.
Find out more on our blog by clicking here.
A great collecting story
These coins have all the hallmarks of a great collecting story so they’re sure to be snapped up quickly by collectors.
Just think back to last year’s Platinum Jubilee record sell-out. All limited edition specifications of the 50p and £5 sold out in less than 24 hours!
You’ll need to get ahead of the crowd if you’re wanting to secure these coins for your collection when they’re issued.
Be one of the first to hear the latest updates on these upcoming coins
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Top 10 Places to find the King Charles III 50p
Since 4.9 million 50ps bearing the first portrait of King Charles III entered circulation last year, collectors have been on the lookout for His Majesty in their change.
We asked you to help us hunt down the first King Charles III 50p by entering your postcode into our map as soon as you found the new 50p. We’ve tracked the coin up and down the country, from Inverness to Penzance, but where in the UK are you most likely to find the King Charles III 50p?
Here are the top 10 places to find Charles in your Change…
10. North Wales (Llandudno)
1.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Llandudno (LL) postcodes.
9. Glasgow
1.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Glasgow (G) postcodes.
8. Birmingham
1.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Birmingham (B) postcodes.
7. Oxford
2.2% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Oxford (OX) postcodes.
6. Derby
2.2% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Derby (DE) postcodes.
5. Newport
2.5% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Newport (NP) postcodes.
4. Stoke on Trent
2.8% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Stoke on Trent (ST) postcodes.
3. Nottingham
2.87% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Nottingham (NG) postcodes.
2. Northern Ireland (Belfast)
2.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Belfast (BT) postcodes.
1. Newcastle Upon Tyne
3.2% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Newcastle Upon Tyne (NE) postcodes.
Not forgetting London…
An honourable mention goes to Greater London which had 16 entries across 8 postcodes (making up a whopping 5.1% of all KCIII 50ps found).
Do you live in one of these areas? If so, you’re highly likely to come across a King Charles III 50p in your change. You can view the Charles in your Change map in full to check your own area here >>
Make sure you’re using cash where possible to maximise your chances, and who knows, maybe you’ll find other commemorative coins along the way.
Yet to find a King Charles III 50p?
If you’re yet to find a King Charles III 50p, you can secure one in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for your collection here >>
Mythical Merlin celebrated on NEW UK coin!
Powerful and eccentric Arthurian wizard, Merlin, features on a brand new UK £5 coin!
As the second £5 coin in the new Myths and Legends series, the 2023 UK Merlin £5 coin bears a design fitting of the mythical wizard…
Click here to order the brand new 2023 UK Merlin CERTFIED BU £5 coin >>
The design
On the reverse of the coin, you’ll see Merlin is poised with a magical staff, ready to wield his power. But, you can also spot Archimedes the owl sitting serenely on the wizard’s shoulder – a character from author T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone!
Plus, designer David Lawrence has given collectors a peek at mythical island Avalon in the background, while Martin Jennings’ portrait of King Charles III features on the obverse of the coin.
The mythology of Merlin
The origins of Merlin can be traced back to the 12th Century, when British author Geoffrey of Monmouth established the magical mage within his works. Medieval texts saw Merlin not only prophesise and shapeshift, but also create the famous Wiltshire monument, Stonehenge!
Through countless generations, the tales of Merlin have largely revolved around King Arthur. The wizard is said to have contrived Arthur’s birth before guiding the future king to reign over England!
2023 UK King Arthur £5
Plus, King Arthur features in the Myths and Legends UK £5 series too, carrying a sword of Merlin’s creation – Excalibur!
Find out more about the King Arthur £5 coin here >>
2023 UK Merlin CERTIFIED BU £5
The mythical Merlin has been celebrated by joining the Myths and Legends coin series – and we’re excited to see which legend will feature next! Comment below your guesses…
Bring the legend of Merlin to life by owning this £5 now for just £13.99 (+p&p) >>