“It’s a fantastic opportunity for coin collectors to add to their collections, or start one for the first time. Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint, said: “Today marks a new era for UK coinage, with the effigy of King Charles III appearing on 50ps in circulation. In line with demand, 9.6m 50p coins will eventually enter circulation.

Coins will be distributed as change when customers make purchases. It includes the four quarters of the Royal Arms depicted within a shield, and between each shield an emblem of the home nations: a rose, a thistle, a shamrock and a leek.Īll UK coins bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender and in active circulation.Ī commemorative version of the coin was released in October, generating record visitors to the Royal Mint’s website in the 24 hours after.Ī total of 4.9m 50p coins will enter circulation across 9,452 Post Office branches throughout December. The reverse of the 50p features a design that originally appeared on the 1953 Coronation Crown, and struck to commemorate the Queen’s coronation at Westminster Abbey.