This portrait will appear on two pieces in a special series celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Le Monde with AFP
This was one of the great expectations since the accession to the throne of Charles III in the United Kingdom: to which the portrait of the new king would look like in the future British pieces, and succeed, in the long term , to that of Elisabeth II who died on September 8 at the age of 96?
The suspense ended, Friday, September 30, when Royal Mint, the organization responsible for beating British currency, unveiled two pieces in the image of the new sovereign. These pieces are part of a special series celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II: one of 5 pounds sterling and another of 50 pence. They will come into circulation “in the coming months”, probably around December, specifies Royal Mint in a press release.
The official portrait that will decorate the future pieces bearing the image of Charles III, the work of the sculptor Martin Jennings, was designed from a photo, and approved by the king. “It is the smaller work that I have ever created,” he comments, saying herself touched “by the fact that she will be seen and held by so many people”.
The King looks on the left 
“according to tradition, the king’s portrait looks to the left, opposite direction of Queen Elizabeth II” on the portrait that adorns the pieces in circulation for the moment, Specifies Royal Mint
The pieces of the king’s effigy will carry the inscription in Latin: “Charles III. D. G. Rex. F. D. 5 pounds. 2022”, ie “King Charles III, by the grace of God, defender of faith” – One of the titles of the sovereign.
The reverse of the 5 -pound commemorative piece will carry two new portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by artist John Bergdahl in collaboration with Royal Mint.
“All the British parts with the image of Elizabeth II will remain legal and in circulation. It is commonly used to have parts like different monarchs in circulation at the same time”, indicates Royal Mint, who “affixes the portraits of the royal family on pieces for more than 1,100 years”.
The organization specifies that there are currently 27 billion parts in the United Kingdom with the Elizabeth II effigy and that they will be replaced over time, when they are damaged.