Coin News

*** UPDATE – 20th August 2024 ***

Today, it’s been announced that 2.975 million King Charles III Bee £1 coins will enter circulation this week!

The Bee £1 was voted Change Checkers’ favourite design from the New UK Coinage Set which was issued in October 2023, so collectors are sure to be a-buzz with excitement at the thought of finding one in their change.

Let us know in the comments if you manage to find one!

*** UPDATE – November 2023 ***

It’s just been announced that the new Atlantic Salmon 50p will start entering circulation from the end of November 2023! Keep your eyes out for this coin in your change…

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It’s #AllChange for UK coinage, as the 1p through to the £2 now have brand new designs to usher in the reign of King Charles III.

Eight new coins have been released – one for each of our circulating denominations – featuring BRAND NEW reverse designs and (for the first time in 70 years) the King on the obverse.

A new era of King Charles III coinage

Although we’ve already seen several commemorative 50p, £2 and £5 coins issued bearing His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse, this will be the first time we’ll see his portrait on the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and £1 – the coins we’ll find in our everyday change.

Our circulating coinage has changed in the past, with different effigies of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse designs and two different reverse designs over the last 70 years. However, this will be the first time that both ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ sides of coins have changed at the same time.

Inspired by wildlife conservation

From the 1p to the £2 coin, we’ve been treated to 8 brand new reverse designs, each featuring iconic British wildlife.

His Majesty is known for his keen interest in wildlife conservation and plant life, having been Patron of The Wildlife Trust since 1977. This passion was a key inspiration for The Royal Mint when designing the UK’s new coinage.

New ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ designs

All of the reverse designs share a common theme – a section showing each coin’s denomination against a background of a stylised logo featuring 3 interlinking Cs, representing King Charles III. We can also see His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse of all 8 coins, the first time he’s appeared on all UK coin denominations.

The new UK 1p coin represents British woodland with a design featuring an adorable dormouse all curled up.

The design on the first King Charles III 2p features an inquisitive red squirrel. Red squirrels are native to the UK, however their numbers have dwindled since the introduction of the grey squirrel in the 1800s, meaning they can be difficult to find in parts of the UK.

Our new 5p coin bears a traditional design of Oak leaves and acorns. The Oak Tree is the national tree of England, and is thought to represent strength and endurance.

The 10p features an image of a capercaillie, a bird from the grouse family that doesn’t appear anywhere else in the UK apart from Scotland.

The animal that features on the new 20p coin is instantly recognisable as a puffin. Often referred to as a ‘sea parrot’, puffins can be found in scattered locations around the coast of Scotland, northern England, South West England and Wales.

Representing British waterways, the new UK 50p features an Atlantic salmon. Dubbed ‘King of the Fish’, Atlantic salmon are usually found in rivers in Wales, Scotland and North and South West England.

Excitingly, this is the first time we’ve seen a different design on the UK £1 coin since the introduction of the 12-sided bi-metalic £1 in 2017. The first King Charles III £1 coin features two bees, a creature synonymous with the British countryside. There are around 25 species of bumblebee and over 240 species of solitary bee in the UK.

Finally, the £2 coin features flowers of the four nations of the UK – a rose for England, a thistle for Scotland, a daffodil for Wales and a shamrock for Northern Ireland. This design may remind you of the round pound designs from 2013 and 2014 which featured the flowers of the nations.

A special addition for collectors

As well as brand new designs on both sides, these coins also feature a special ‘Privy Mark’ on the obverse – an unusual and potentially collectable feature.

To set these coins apart from those you’ll find in your change, they’ll each feature a small crown next to His Majesty’s effigy on the obverse.

All Change for UK Coinage!

Considering this is the biggest change we’ve seen to UK coinage in decades, we’re expecting a huge collecting rush for New UK Coinage for King Charles III.

What’s more, although these will be the new coins to replace our current circulating coinage, it could be years until they are easily found in your change…

So don’t miss out! Avoid the long wait of finding these coins and make sure you’re one of the first to add this exciting set to your collection, including the special collectable privy mark!

Secure the complete collection for just £32.50 + (p&p) here >>