First coins featuring King Charles’ portrait produced by Royal Mint and feature tribute to the Queen

The Royal Mint has begun to produce coins bearing the effigy of King Charles III that also feature a tribute to QueenElizabeth II.

In examples of a 50p coin, designs feature touches that were originally used on coins to mark the Queen’s coronation back in 1953.

A total of 9.6 million copies of new commemorative coins will enter circulation and feature four quarters of the Royal Arms in a shield.

Emblems of the four home nations - a rose, a thistle, a shamrock, and a leek - also feature on the outside.

King Charles effigy is featured on the other side of the coin in a move that many will see as the most historic change to UK coins since decimalisation in 1971.

In a tweet, The Royal Mint shared a behind the scenes look at how the coins were produced.

In the clip, Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint said: “For 70 years at The Royal Mint we have been striking coins for her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“And today is a significant event because we’re changing that monarch for the first time in 70 years.”

Currently existing coins with the Queen’s portrait will continue as legal tender and gradually phased out of circulation.

Martin Jennings, Sculptor and Designer of King Charles III’s official coin portrait, added: “I have only designed the obverse, or the front of the coin. So there is what we call the effigy of the monarch in the centre.

“He is, in this instance, looking to the left, his mother looked to the right - every monarch will look in the opposite direction to their predecessor.”

Reflecting on the importance of the new coinage, Dr Kevin Clancy - director of Royal Mint Museum - said: “The iconography of the new reign has been built as we speak.

“The coin in your pocket is an intimate way of seeing the King.”

The new of new coinage comes as it has also been revealed King Charles will take over Prince Harry's role as captain general of the Royal Marines. The job has been vacant since Prince Harry quit royal life