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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Lucy Farrell & Abbie Meehan

King Charles III coins now in production with two crucial differences from the Queen's

A brand new 50 pence featuring the new King is set to come into circulation, and it will feature some changes.

The new coin will be introduced this December, in the biggest change to UK currency since the introduction of decimalisation, reports the Daily Record. King Charles will be paying tribute to his late mother, the Queen, in the making of this coin.

The King will also be departing from some imagery that many people in the UK are used to seeing on their coins. To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Mint is to release 9.6million copies of the coin which features the King's image on one side.

READ MORE: King Charles could 'break Royal tradition' to change Kate Middleton's role

On the other side, a replica of the coin that celebrated The Queen's coronation in 1953 will feature. Kevin Clancy, director of the Royal Mint Museum, said: "For many people, this will be the first time in their lives that they have seen a new monarch appear on money."

The King's portrait also features him without his crown, a difference compared to his beloved mother's previous image. Director of collector services at the Royal Mint explained: "It's quite common for male monarchs not to wear a crown on their coinage.

"It happened to his father and grandfather when they were on coinage. It's quite common for female monarchs to wear a lot more regalia, so crowns, tiaras, jewellery as well.

"Most people under the age of 50 have only ever seen Queen Elizabeth II in their pockets. It wasn't unusual to see two or three different monarchs on coins before decimalisation."

Designed by Martin Jennings, with the King's approval, the coin also depicts His Majesty facing the opposite direction from the Queen on the coins in circulation right now - a tradition for a new monarch.

Designer Martin said: "It has to be an image that will persist over the years and that will represent the generality of what people imagine monarchy to be about. So it's not just a portrait of him, it also needs to contain the role [of King]."

As well as 50 pence, the Royal Mint has begun to create other coin's with the King's image. In line with the Royal Family's wishes to minimize waste, Queen Elizabeth II coins will remain in circulation until they become damaged.

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