New coins featuring the portrait of King Charles have been revealed, with a 50p carrying his image entering general circulation within weeks.

BBC News was given a first glimpse of the 50p and a commemorative £5 Crown which include an image of the King by British sculptor Martin Jennings.

The coins follow centuries of tradition with the monarch now facing left - the opposite way to his predecessor.

As with previous British kings, and unlike the Queen, he wears no crown.

King Charles personally approved the effigy, and was understood to be pleased with the likeness.

The coins will be sold to collectors by The Royal Mint from early next week. The 50p coin will be available for general use well before the end of the year, distributed according to demand by banks, building societies and post offices.

The official portrait was designed to give an accessible look to the King, and the same is true of the inscription.

Previous British monarchs have been denoted on the inscription using the Latin version of their name. However, the new coins say Charles III rather than Carolus.

The full inscription surrounding the effigy reads "CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022", shortened from Latin, which translates to "King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith".

The reverse of the new £5 coin shows two new portraits of the Queen, charting her journey from a young monarch to a long-standing head of state.

On the 50p coin, the reverse is a copy of the design used on the 1953 Crown struck to commemorate the Queen's coronation.

King Charles's portrait is the first coin design undertaken by Martin Jennings, but his public sculptures include poets John Betjeman, in St Pancras Station in London, and Philip Larkin in Hull.

He used photographs to come up with the design, rather than the King sitting for a specific portrait.

To read the complete article, see:
King Charles: New coins featuring monarch's portrait unveiled(https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63073983)

David Pickup adds:

David passed along a link to the Royal Mint's home page:
https://www.royalmint.com/

To read the complete article, see:
UK Royal Mint reveals King Charles III coin portrait(https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/uk-royal-mint-reveals-king-charles-iii-coin-portrait)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
ON MONARCH PORTRAITS, PRONOUNS AND NAMES(https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n38a23.html)