New £1 coins featuring King Charles III released into circulation

Nearly three million of the newly designed coins will be distributed across the UK through Post Offices and banks this week.

The first £1 coins featuring King Charles III have entered circulation, heralding a historic shift in the nation's currency.

Almost three million of the redesigned coins will be distributed this week to Post Offices and banks across the UK. The 'tails' side of the coin depicts a pair of British bees, symbolising the King's dedication to conservation and nature, while the 'heads' side features Charles' official effigy.

Rebecca Morgan, The Royal Mint's director of commemorative coin, said: "The Royal Mint has produced the circulating coinage for each of Britain's monarchs since Alfred the Great, and we are thrilled to announce that King Charles III's £1 coin is now in circulation."

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She added: "We anticipate a buzz of excitement among collectors and the public as they eagerly try to obtain this unique piece of history in their change. We hope the designs on all denominations will inspire conversations about the conservation of these crucial species."

A total of 2.975 million £1 coins are being issued, which will co-circulate with those displaying the effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II, eventually replacing them as they become damaged or worn.

The £1 coin is one of eight designs, inspired by flora and fauna to reflect King Charles III's environmental commitment, which are set to become the new standard for most official currency.

Following the release of commemorative coins featuring the King's portrait, the first definitive Charles III coin - a 50p piece depicting an Atlantic salmon - was released in November 2023.

The other designs, which will be introduced as demand dictates, include a 1p coin with a hazel dormouse, a 2p coin with a red squirrel, a 5p coin with an oak tree leaf, a 10p coin with a capercaillie grouse, a 20p coin with a puffin, and a £2 coin featuring national flowers the rose, daffodil, thistle and shamrock.

A public poll conducted by the Royal Mint revealed that the £1 bee coin was the favourite, closely followed by the 2p red squirrel coin.

Each coin also features a repeating pattern of three interlocking Cs, a nod to history through the cypher of Charles II.

The number depicting the value of each coin has been enlarged to assist children in developing their counting skills.

Banknotes featuring the King's portrait were circulated in June, marking the first time the sovereign has been changed on the Bank of England's notes.