Guide
Charles III Coin Guide UK 2026: The New King's Coinage
Britain's first new monarch in 70 years means an entirely new series of circulating coins. From the 2022 Elizabeth II memorial 50p through the 2023 "Coinage Portrait" definitives to the 2023 Coronation crown, this guide covers every Charles III issue released so far: how to identify them, what they are worth, mintage figures and which pieces deserve a place in a long-term collection.
Last updated: 6 June 2026
In brief. Charles III coins are identifiable instantly by the left-facing,
uncrowned bust by Martin Jennings and the inscription CHARLES III D G REX F D. The
first issue was the 2022 Elizabeth II memorial 50p (5 million circulating); the 2023 "Coinage
Portrait" definitives introduced an entirely new flora-and-fauna reverse series replacing the
Royal Shield. Most pieces still sell at or close to issue price; the 2022 memorial 50p is the only
Charles III coin with meaningful early collector premium.
The first Charles III coin: 2022 Elizabeth II memorial 50p
Unveiled on 29 September 2022, eleven days after the Queen's death, the memorial 50p was the first British coin to carry Charles III's portrait. Five million entered circulation through Post Office branches in December 2022, with a further multi-million tranche minted as Brilliant Uncirculated presentation packs and silver- and gold-proof variants. Unlike a typical commemorative, the coin reuses the 2008 Matthew Dent royal shield reverse, marking continuity rather than a one-off design.
Circulated examples trade at £2–£5; the sealed Royal Mint blue-card presentation pack sits at £8–£15; silver-proof variants run £80–£120 on the secondary market via the Royal Mint and eBay UK. Gold-proof versions (1,000 issued) trade at £1,400–£1,800.
The 2023 "Coinage Portrait" definitives
Released from October 2023, the eight definitive reverses replaced the Matthew Dent Royal Shield series that had run since 2008. Each Charles III definitive depicts a British native species selected for its conservation message; the eight designs combine to form a single linked composition when arranged in sequence. The Royal Shield itself was retained on commemorative issues but is no longer the standard reverse.
| Denomination | Reverse design | Notes | Typical BU value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1p | Hazel dormouse | Small mammal of ancient woodland | £1 – £3 |
| 2p | Red squirrel | Protected UK native species | £1 – £3 |
| 5p | Oak leaf & acorn | British oak motif | £2 – £4 |
| 10p | Atlantic salmon | Scottish rivers and coastlines | £2 – £4 |
| 20p | Puffin | Coastal seabird colonies | £3 – £6 |
| 50p | Three Atlantic salmon | Largest reverse element | £4 – £8 |
| £1 | Bees | Pollinator conservation | £5 – £10 |
| £2 | Capercaillie | Scottish Highlands bird | £6 – £12 |
The full eight-coin Royal Mint Definitive BU set was originally issued at £55 and now trades at £45–£65 depending on packaging condition. Silver-proof sets retailed at around £385 and now sell at £320–£420 on the secondary market.
Charles III vs Elizabeth II definitives at a glance
The two reigns' definitive coinage differs in three obvious ways: portrait direction, reverse design and inscription. Specifications (weight, diameter, thickness, alloy) are identical, so any vending machine or self-checkout that accepts an Elizabeth II 50p will accept a Charles III 50p without modification.
| Feature | Elizabeth II (2008–2022) | Charles III (2023–) |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait sculptor | Jody Clark (5th portrait, 2015–) | Martin Jennings |
| Portrait direction | Right-facing | Left-facing |
| Crown | State Diadem (crowned) | Uncrowned bust |
| Inscription | ELIZABETH II D G REG F D | CHARLES III D G REX F D |
| Definitive reverse | Royal Shield jigsaw (Matthew Dent) | British flora & fauna |
| Edge / weight / size | Identical (no spec change) | |
Charles III commemoratives released to date
The Royal Mint has issued a steady stream of Charles III commemoratives since accession. The list below covers the headline pieces; smaller anniversary issues, themed Piéforts and bullion-only variants are not exhaustive.
- 2023 Coronation 50p: Reverse by Natasha Ratcliffe depicting St Edward's Crown; struck for 3 May 2023 release. BU presentation pack £8–£14; silver proof £65–£90; gold proof £700+.
- 2023 Coronation Crown (£5): Royal arms reverse, Coronation date inscription. BU £12–£20; silver proof £90+; gold proof £3,000+.
- 2023 Royal Maundy set: Traditional silver 1p–4p set distributed at the King's first Maundy service. Typically £300–£600 at Noonans and Baldwin's auctions.
- 2024 National Parks £1 series: A multi-year set celebrating UK national parks; the first issues featured the Lake District and Snowdonia. BU £5–£10 each.
- 2024 Team GB Olympic 50p: Marking the Paris 2024 Games. BU £8–£14.
- 2024 Paddington at the Tower £5: Continuation of the Paddington commemorative series begun under Elizabeth II. BU £12–£18.
- 2024 The Gruffalo and the Mouse 50p: Children's Literature series continuation. BU £6–£12.
- 2024 The Snowman £5: Annual Christmas issue. BU £15–£25.
How to identify a Charles III coin in your change
Five quick checks confirm a Charles III piece in seconds:
- Portrait direction. Charles faces left. If the portrait faces right, it is Elizabeth II or earlier (George VI also faced left, but his coins are pre-decimal and a different size).
- Inscription. Look for "CHARLES III" and "REX". Elizabeth II coins read "ELIZABETH II" and "REG" (Regina, queen); Charles uses Rex (king).
- No crown. The Jennings portrait is uncrowned. Elizabeth II's effigy from 1985 onwards (Maklouf and Rank-Broadley) was crowned; Jody Clark's 2015–2022 portrait was crowned with the State Diadem.
- Date. 2022 or later. Any pre-2022 date is not Charles III.
- Reverse design. Definitives carry flora and fauna (dormouse, salmon, capercaillie etc.), not the Matthew Dent shield jigsaw. Memorial 50p is the exception — it reuses the older shield reverse.
Charles III bullion: sovereigns and Britannias
Charles III sovereigns entered bullion production in 2023 and Britannias in 2024, both carrying the Jennings portrait. Specifications are unchanged from the Elizabeth II equivalents (the sovereign is still 7.988 g of 22-carat gold, 7.322 g pure; the silver Britannia is still one troy ounce of .999 silver). First-year-of-reign issues carry a small numismatic premium of 5–15% above common-date bullion. Charles III bullion shares the same UK tax treatment as Elizabeth II issues: Capital Gains Tax exempt as legal tender, VAT-free as investment gold under VAT Notice 701/21A. For full mechanics see our gold sovereign values guide.
Charles III annual sets: typical retail
| Set | Format | Royal Mint RRP | Secondary market |
|---|---|---|---|
| BU Annual Set | 8 definitives + dated commemoratives, brilliant uncirculated | £55 | £45 – £65 |
| Proof Set | Cupro-nickel proof finish | £125 | £110 – £150 |
| Silver Proof Set | .925 sterling silver | £385 | £320 – £420 |
| Silver Proof Piéfort | Double-thickness silver proof | £695 | £620 – £750 |
| Premium Proof Set | Selected Piéforts, mixed alloys | £500 | £460 – £560 |
| Gold Proof Set | 22-carat gold | £15,000+ | Variable, see Spink |
Sources: Royal Mint catalogue prices and recent realised prices on eBay UK and Noonans auctions over the past 12 months.
Collector tip. First-year-of-reign coins are historically the most collected, and
the 2022 memorial 50p plus the eight 2023 definitives are the only opportunity to assemble a
full inaugural Charles III set from change. Once the Royal Mint settles into higher-volume
multi-year production, mintages will climb and the early issues become harder to source in
pristine condition. Set one of each aside while you can.
Featured Charles III coins on MyCoinage
1 Sovereign - Charles III Bullion
up to £1,300
1 Sovereign - Charles III
up to £1,057
1 Sovereign - Charles III Coronation
up to £1,027
1 Sovereign - Charles III Life of Queen Victoria; Gold Proof
up to £925
½ Sovereign - Charles III Coronation
up to £695
5 Pounds - Charles III The Angel; Silver Proof
up to £490
5 Pounds - Charles III William IV Crown; Silver Proof
up to £490
5 Pounds - Charles III 2 oz Fine Silver
up to £490
¼ Sovereign - Charles III Coronation
up to £395
5 Pounds - Charles III The Penny Drops
up to £338
5 Pounds - Charles III St George & The Dragon; Silver Proof
up to £301
2 Pounds - Charles III 1 oz Fine Silver
up to £300
Browse every Charles III coin in our database →
Frequently asked questions
When did Charles III coins enter circulation?
The first Charles III circulating coin, the 50p marking the death of Elizabeth II, was unveiled on 29 September 2022 and entered circulation in December 2022, with five million pieces released through Post Office branches. Definitive Charles III 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 coins (the "Coinage Portrait" series) followed from October 2023 onwards. Pre-existing Elizabeth II coins remain legal tender alongside the new issues, so change in 2026 is a mix of the two reigns.
Are Charles III coins rare?
Not yet, with one notable exception. The 2022 Elizabeth II memorial 50p had a circulation mintage of 5 million; that is well below most modern definitive 50p mintages and demand has been unusually strong, lifting circulated examples to £2–£5 and sealed Royal Mint presentation packs to £8–£15. The 2023 first-year definitives are also worth saving in change because first-year-of-reign issues are the most heavily collected. Most other Charles III commemoratives are produced in standard collector-pack volumes and trade close to issue price.
How do I identify a Charles III coin?
The obverse shows Charles III facing left, the opposite direction to Elizabeth II (who faced right throughout her reign). The bust is uncrowned, was sculpted by Martin Jennings, and carries the Latin inscription "CHARLES III D G REX F D" (Dei Gratia Rex, Fidei Defensor — By the Grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith). The change from REG (queen) to REX (king) is the quickest single-word check. Any coin dated 2022 or later carrying a left-facing portrait is Charles III.
Why does Charles face left when his mother faced right?
British monarchs have alternated direction since the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, who faced left to deliberately differ from Oliver Cromwell. Charles III continues that 365-year tradition; because Elizabeth II faced right, the new king faces left. The only break in the alternation was Edward VIII, who insisted on facing left despite tradition requiring right; his coins never entered circulation due to his abdication, so the sequence was preserved when George VI faced left in his place.
What does the 2023 definitive series look like?
The "Coinage Portrait" definitive reverses were designed in consultation with King Charles III, reflecting his personal conservation interests. Eight British flora and fauna designs by Iain Macarthur: 1p hazel dormouse, 2p red squirrel, 5p oak leaf, 10p capercaillie, 20p puffin, 50p Atlantic salmon, £1 honeybees (two bees), £2 three national flowers (rose, daffodil, thistle and shamrock). It is a complete break from the Matthew Dent Royal Shield jigsaw that had appeared on Elizabeth II definitives since 2008. The Atlantic Salmon 50p is the most-discussed of the eight, having entered general circulation late 2023 and now widely reported as the rarest 50p in change after Kew Gardens.
Will Elizabeth II coins still be legal tender?
Yes, indefinitely. The Bank of England and Royal Mint confirmed at the King's accession that Elizabeth II coinage remains valid legal tender and will not be withdrawn. Both portraits will circulate side by side for decades, exactly as Edward VII, George V and George VI coins continued circulating after 1952. Older monarchs' pre-decimal coinage was demonetised separately at decimalisation in 1971, but post-decimal Elizabeth II issues have no end date.
How much is the 2023 Coronation 50p worth?
The 2023 Coronation 50p was struck for general circulation with a confirmed mintage of 5 million, plus separate BU presentation packs and silver/gold proof variants. Circulated examples found in change trade at £1-5; BU sealed in original Royal Mint card at £10-15; silver proofs at £65-90; gold proofs at £700+. The reverse, designed by Natasha Ratcliffe, depicts Westminster Abbey — the venue of the Coronation on 6 May 2023. The obverse uses the Martin Jennings portrait. This was the second Charles III circulating 50p (after the 2022 Elizabeth II memorial 50p) and the first commemorative of his reign.
Are Charles III sovereigns and Britannias good investments?
Bullion-grade Charles III sovereigns and Britannias trade at 5–15% over gold or silver melt, similar to their Elizabeth II equivalents. They share the same Capital Gains Tax exemption (legal tender, struck post-1837) and VAT-free status (investment gold). The first-year 2023 issues carry a small numismatic premium that should fade as production ramps up. See our gold sovereign values guide for full bullion mechanics.
Where can I buy Charles III coins direct from the Royal Mint?
The Royal Mint shop sells annual sets, individual proofs and bullion direct, with new commemoratives generally released on Mondays at 09:00 UK time. Limited-edition pieces (especially silver-proof Piéforts and gold-proof crowns) often sell out within hours. After release, secondary-market venues like eBay UK and Change Checker's swap centre fill the gap.
What Charles III coin sets has the Royal Mint released?
Annual offerings now include the Brilliant Uncirculated Set (eight definitives plus dated commemoratives, around £55), the Proof Set (silver-finish proofs, around £125), the Silver Proof Set (sterling silver, around £385) and the Premium Proof Set (with selected Piéforts, around £500). Gold proof sets are issued in limited numbers and run into thousands of pounds. The 2023 first-year sets carry a one-time premium because they include the inaugural Coinage Portrait designs.
Has Charles III appeared on coins outside the UK?
Yes. The Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Australian Mint and Reserve Bank of New Zealand have all released their own Charles III definitives from 2023. Each Commonwealth realm uses a slightly different effigy by a local sculptor; the UK uses the Jennings portrait, Canada uses an effigy by Steven Rosati, and New Zealand uses one by Dan Thorne. Coins from the British Overseas Territories (Gibraltar, Falkland Islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey) carry their own variant portraits but follow the same left-facing convention.
Should I save Charles III coins from change?
Yes, in moderation. First-year-of-reign coins (2022 memorial 50p and the 2023 definitives) are the most-collected of any reign, and the supply of well-preserved circulated examples shrinks every year as they wear. They will not become rare in the auction-record sense, but a tidy set of eight 2023 definitives in your hand today is harder to assemble than it sounds; pulling a 1p, 2p and 5p from change is genuinely difficult because low-denomination usage has fallen sharply. There is no realistic downside to setting one of each aside.
Why does the Royal Cypher use a Tudor Crown?
King Charles III chose the Tudor Crown (the imperial crown of pre-1953 royal cyphers) for his royal cypher rather than the St Edward's Crown that Elizabeth II used (and which is also used at the Coronation service itself). The Tudor Crown appears at the centre of his cypher CIIIR. This is a personal monarchy decision and applies across all royal regalia — coinage, postal markings, royal warrants, military insignia, etc. Tudor Crown reverses appear on the Charles III definitive coinage where heraldic crowns are present, replacing the St Edward's Crown that featured under Elizabeth II. The 2023 Coronation 50p is the exception — it specifically depicts the actual St Edward's Crown used in the service.
When did Charles III banknotes enter circulation?
Bank of England Charles III banknotes entered circulation on 5 June 2024 — well after the first Charles III coins (December 2022 memorial 50p; October 2023 definitives). Like the coinage, Elizabeth II banknotes remain legal tender alongside the new Charles III notes; they will be withdrawn gradually as they wear. The £5, £10, £20 and £50 Charles III notes follow Bank of England's standard polymer format with the King's portrait on the obverse. Note that Bank of England paper notes ceased to be legal tender on 30 September 2022 (separate from the King's accession); polymer notes with Elizabeth II remain in circulation indefinitely.
Are there other Commonwealth realms' Charles III coins to collect?
Yes — the Royal Mint UK Charles III coinage is just one of around fourteen Commonwealth realm coinage programmes that have been redesigned with King Charles III obverses since 2022. The Royal Australian Mint released their first Charles III definitives in 2023 (sculptor: Daniel Thorne). The Royal Canadian Mint has released selective Charles III coins (sculptor: Steven Rosati). New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Tuvalu, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Ascension Island, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and the Falkland Islands all have parallel programmes. Each realm uses a slightly different effigy of the King by a local artist. UK collectors who specialise in Commonwealth coinage face a major catalogue expansion ahead.
Further reading
- Royal Mint: Charles III coinage — first-party design announcements, mintage releases and bullion.
- British Numismatic Society — academic publications and reign overviews.
- NGC UK and PCGS — third-party grading for Charles III proofs and bullion.
- 50p Coin Values UK — full 50p reference including the 2022 memorial issue.
- £2 Coin Values UK — bimetallic £2 prices including 2023 capercaillie.
- Gold Sovereign Values — bullion mechanics that apply to Charles III sovereigns.
- Rare UK Coins List — the top 25 modern rarities you might find in change.
Buy a Charles III coin on eBay UK
Sold listings — the new monarch's coinage from 2022 onwards
Coronation 50p (2023) — sold
Atlantic Salmon 50p — sold
Charles III sovereign — sold
Charles III silver proof set
Charles III BU annual set
Memorial £5 (Elizabeth II / Charles III)
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