Seven million new 10p coins bearing King Charles’ portrait have entered circulation across the UK for the first time in four years, the Royal Mint confirmed on Tuesday.
The reverse side of the coin depicts an image of the capercaillie which is found in a small part of Scotland and threatened with extinction.
The redesigned suite of coins to celebrate the British monarch’s love of the natural world were unveiled in October 2023 by The Royal Mint.
The coins are being released due to increased demand for the 10p denomination, the Mint said. The 10ps are the fourth denomination bearing Charles’s portrait to enter circulation, following on from the 5p, 50p and £1 coins, which entered circulation in 2022.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children, Prince Archie and Princes Lilivbet will see their grandspa on the cos firstime in Britain as they are set to return to the country next week.
UK coins bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and in active circulation, with the aim of ensuring a smooth transition with minimal environmental impact and cost.
With Charles coins representing just 1% of the 24.142 billion coins in circulation across the UK.
The design is part of a collection inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles, reflecting the King’s passion for conservation and will be available through post offices and bank branches.
Rebecca Morgan, director at the Royal Mint, said: “This is a landmark moment for the nation’s coinage, as people begin finding the very first 10p coins bearing the King’s portrait in their change.”
She said of the capercaillie bird appearing on coins: “We hope that by putting this extraordinary bird into millions of pockets and purses, we can spark a nationwide conversation about a species at real risk of vanishing from Britain forever.”
2026-08-25 13:09:00
