Final Queen Elizabeth Coins Enter Circulation
The Royal Mint has started releasing the last batch of £1 coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II into UK circulation, marking the end of an era in British coinage. More than 23 million of the Queen’s coins, dated 2021 and 2022, are hitting tills and pockets alongside 7.5 million new £1 coins with King Charles III’s portrait. The 2022 Elizabeth coins will be the rarest £1s in active use, while all coins with her image will remain legal tender.
Rebecca Morgan of the Royal Mint called it “a pivotal moment in British coinage history,” adding that the side-by-side release shows “the physical representation of our monarchy’s transition.” The new £1 coins featuring the King showcase a detailed bee on the tails side and are part of a nature-themed collection, which will eventually include designs across all coin denominations. The King’s coins still make up just 0.004% of the nearly 25 billion coins in circulation.
Collectors are being encouraged to check their change, as the combination of rarity and significance has made these coins especially desirable. “Finding these new coins in your change could spark a rewarding hobby,” Morgan said, with the Royal Mint hoping the rollout connects people to the history and heritage behind British currency.
