The Royal Mint has unveiled eight new coins set to enter circulation in the UK this year, ranging from one pence to £2.
The nature-inspired designs mark the final chapter of King Charles III’s transition onto British coinage.
These eight new coin designs will replace the current shield formation introduced under Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.
Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Mint said: "This is a rare and historic moment as the complete set of UK coins change to celebrate a new monarch on the throne.
The Royal Mint said the new coins are expected to enter circulation from the end of 2023
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"The striking designs have been seen by His Majesty and reflect his commitment to conservation and the natural world, as well as celebrating British craftsmanship.
“The Royal Mint has struck Britain’s coins for 1,100 years and this collection will proudly take its place amongst the designs of monarchs ranging from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II.
"A unique pattern of interlocking C’s adorns each of the new designs. This unifying feature gives a nod to history through the cypher of Charles II while celebrating King Charles III’s commitment to conservation.”
The designs can be purchased as an official commemorative coin set from £33 from today, October 12.
The coins are expected to enter circulation from the end of 2023, in line with demand from banks and UK Post Offices.
Each of the coins has been created with the support of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
What are the new King Charles III coin designs?
New 1p coin
The 1p coin depicts a hazel dormouse. The hazel dormouse population in the UK has halved since 2007, however, more than 1,000 have been reintroduced in 13 different counties across the country to try to reverse the species' ongoing decline.
New 2p coin
The 2p coin features a red squirrel design. Conservation efforts are currently in place to manage the population of red squirrels in the UK to stop it from becoming extinct.
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The new 1p coin features a hazel dormouse while the 2p coin depicts a red squirrel
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New 5p coin
The new 5p coin displays an oak tree leaf, signifying its role as a rich habitat for biodiversity in British woodland areas.
The oak tree has a long association with monarchies, as ancient kings of Britain and Roman Emperors wore crowns of oak leaves, the Royal Mint explained.
New 10p coin
The 10p coin design features a Capercaillie, the world’s largest grouse.
The species previously became extinct in the mid-eighteenth century, and it is now at risk of becoming extinct again.
The new 5p coin depicts the leaf from an oak tree and the 10p coin shows a Capercaillie
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New 20p coin
An image of a puffin can be found on the reverse of the new UK 20p coin.
Around 10 per cent of the worldwide puffin population breeds along the UK's coastline. Puffins are classed as a Red List species, with the population predicted to severely regress over the next 30 years unless action is taken to protect their nesting sites and food supply.
New 50p coin
The Atlantic salmon - a priority conservation species - is depicted on the new UK 50p coin.
They can be found in clean rivers in Scotland, Wales and the North and South West of England, but wild populations are low.
The new £2 coin features natural flowers while a puffin design is on the 20p
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New £1 coin
A bee is pictured on the new UK £1 coin, to symbolise the more than 250 species which exist in Britain and play a pivotal role in pollinating many plants and fruiting trees.
New £2 coin
National flowers are featured on the new UK £2 coin, symbolising the four nations of the UK.
There is a rose for England, a daffodil for Wales, a thistle for Scotland and a shamrock for Northern Ireland.
The edge inscription on the new £2 coin reads "IN SERVITIO OMNIUM’", which is Latin for "In the service of all". This was inspired by King Charles' inaugural address on September 9, 2022 and personally approved by the king.
