Get ready for an exciting change in your pocket as the Royal Australian Mint introduces the all-new $1 coin featuring King Charles.
After seven decades of Queen Elizabeth II adorning our coins, Australia is embracing a fresh design with the arrival of King Charles.
Unveiled on Thursday, the effigy of King Charles signifies the start of a coin facelift. These coins are expected to enter circulation in just a few months, making their debut in time for Christmas. The initial batch of $1 coins featuring the King’s head will number approximately $10 million, and other denominations will follow suit in 2024 as per the banks’ demand.
The Mint has unveiled the first look of King Charles on Australian coins. The effigy will be on the $1 coin by Christmas, with other coins to follow next year pic.twitter.com/XbMIWzX3CH
— Andrew Brown (@AndrewBrownAU) October 4, 2023
Staying true to tradition, King Charles will face left, while the late Queen Elizabeth II faced right. This direction has alternated since the 1600s during the reign of King Charles II.
Coin experts highlight that the King’s skin is nearly flawless, his “noise” has been diminished, and his ears seem smaller.
The effigy, designed by Dan Thorne from The Royal Mint in the UK, has even received approval from His Majesty King Charles III himself. The creation of such a design involves a wide array of highly specialised skills, ranging from design and engineering to engraving and tool-making.
Highlighting the significance of this change, Assistant Treasury Minister Andrew Leigh emphasises, “Now, for the first time since 1953, the King’s effigy will appear on an Australian coin. For most Australians, this will be the first time they have held in their hands a coin with a King.”
Excitement mounts as we prepare for this historic transition, bidding farewell to Queen Elizabeth II and extending a warm welcome to King Charles.
Keep an eye out for these new coins, soon to be circulating and adding a touch of royalty to your day-to-day transactions.
