New 50p coins featuring King Charles to go into circulation TODAY – and you’ll want to keep it in your change

YOU WILL want to keep an eye on your spare change when The Royal Mint launches a new 50p coin featuring King Charles’ face.

The official British coin maker will put five million coins into circulation from today.

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Celebrating the King’s coronation, the coins will be shared between Post Offices and bank branches across the UK, who will then distribute them as change.

The coin was designed by Royal Mint designer Natasha Jenkins and is the second 50p coin to enter circulation featuring Her Majesty’s face.

The first is the 50p Memorial, which circulated in December 2022 and marks the transition from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III.

The reverse of the latest 50p coin features Westminster Abbey, where the King’s coronation was held.

Meanwhile, the headpiece features an official portrait of Her Majesty designed by the famous British sculptor Martin Jennings.

Rebecca Morgan, from The Royal Mint, said: “This is a special moment for the nation, as members of the public will have the opportunity to find a piece of history in their change.

“We anticipate the coronation 50p coins will be highly sought after among coin collectors and members of the public wanting to own a piece of British history.”

Rachel Barnes, coin expert at Change Checker, said the fact that the 50p coin marking King Charles’ first coronation was put into circulation could see it worth a lot in the near future.

She added: “It celebrates an incredible moment in British royal history, something we haven’t seen in the last 70 years.

“A limited number will enter circulation and will likely be snapped up by collectors – meaning the hunt for these coins is underway before it’s too late.”

Other royal coins have sold for tens of thousands of pounds in the past, including one for £50,000.

But not all are sold in such large numbers – the 2015 FWW Navy 5th Portrait 2 £2 coin features the Queen’s face.

That piece had previously sold for £17, almost nine times its face value.

It is difficult to say exactly how much collectors will be willing to pay for the new King Charles coronation coin.

However, you can look at rare coins with similar minting (how many are made) to see how much you can get for it.

For example, there are five million Queen’s Platinum 50p coins in circulation.

Some of these have been known to sell for £78 on eBay, which could give some indication of how much King Charles’ coronation will cost.

While King Charles coins are slowly entering circulation, coins bearing the effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender and in circulation.

It is normal for coins with different kings to circulate together.

This ensures a smooth transition, with minimal environmental impact and costs.

There are currently around 27 billion coins in circulation in the UK bearing an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.

They will be replaced from time to time as they become damaged or worn and to meet the demand for additional coins.

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