The new £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes feature a portrait of the monarch
(Picture: Bank of England/AFP via Getty Images)The first tender notes featuring King Charles have been unveiled by the Bank of England and will enter circulation from 2024.
The new £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes feature a portrait of the monarch and a smaller security imprint. They will gradually replace those featuring Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September.
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said in a statement: “This is a significant moment, as the King is only the second monarch to feature on our banknotes.
“People will be able to use these new notes as they start to enter circulation in 2024.”
The Sovereign coin has been associated with the British monarchy since 1489 - more than 5 centuries ago. Henry VII demanded a ‘new money of gold’ to demonstrate the wealth and power of the new Tudor dynasty following the Battle of Bosworth. Discover more: https://t.co/gaR7dnFR81 pic.twitter.com/dLryHw9aJk
— The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) December 19, 2022
The Queen’s banknotes were first issued in 1960 and the most recent variety will only be replaced when they are worn out, meaning they could still be seen years from now.
Coins featuring Charles have already been entered into circulation, a 50p showing Charles looking to the left being the first to be unveiled. The new designs, created by Martin Jennings, somewhat broke with tradition, with the Queen always portrayed looking to the right – but the King himself gave them a royal approval. The new coins feature a tribute to Elizabeth II on their reverse.
During December, almost 5 million 50p coins featuring Charles will enter circulation, with UK post offices being the first to receive them.
Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint, said: “This marks a new era for UK coinage, with the effigy of King Charles III appearing on 50ps in circulation.
“It's a fantastic opportunity for coin collectors to add to their collections, or start one for the first time.”
The Post Office has some of the new coins mixed in with old ones in the till and has said for shoppers to look out for the coin in their change over the next few weeks.
