The Royal Mint has unveiled a significant change to the humble 5p coin, marking the first time in history that the coin will feature the portrait of King Charles III. A total of 23.2 million of these coins, minted in October 2023, are now entering circulation across the UK, providing a unique opportunity for coin collectors and the general public alike to own a piece of royal history.
This release comes in response to growing demand for the 5p denomination, which has been facing increased use in cash transactions as people return to traditional forms of payment. The design change also coincides with King Charles’s ongoing focus on environmental conservation, which is symbolised on the reverse of the coin by an oak tree leaf motif.
A Rare Design Change
The new King Charles 5p coin marks the first redesign of this denomination in 17 years. According to the Royal Mint, the last update to the 5p coin occurred in 2008, making the current release a rare event in the history of UK currency. The coin features King Charles’s official portrait on the obverse (heads side), which first appeared on UK coinage in 2022.
The reverse of the coin showcases an oak tree leaf, a nod to both the King’s lifelong commitment to environmental conservation and the oak tree’s symbolic association with British monarchs. This design element serves to highlight the monarchy’s deep connection to the natural world, a theme that King Charles has championed throughout his reign.
The Royal Mint’s director of commemorative coins, Rebecca Morgan, expressed her enthusiasm for the new release, stating, “The oak leaf design beautifully represents the deep connection between our monarchy and the natural world, reflecting King Charles III’s lifelong dedication to environmental conservation.”
How and Where to Find the New Coins
The 23.2 million newly minted King Charles 5p coins are being distributed through post offices and banks across the UK. Special batches have been sent to locations with “oak” in their names or situated near renowned oak trees, such as:
- The Oaks Post Office, Dungannon (Northern Ireland)
- Jubilee Oak, Braintree (Essex)
- Oaktree Road, Southampton
- Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield (West Midlands)
- County Oak, Brighton
- Allerton Road (near the Allerton Oak), Liverpool
- Newtown Post Office (Brimmon Oak), Powys
- Larkhall Post Office (Cadzow Oaks), South Lanarkshire
Despite their large quantity, King Charles coins still make up just 0.2% of the total 24.6 billion coins currently circulating in the UK. This means that while these coins will become increasingly common, they remain a unique symbol of the King’s reign and an exciting find for collectors.
As the coins begin to make their way into circulation, the Royal Mint encourages people to check their change in the coming weeks. Although coins bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender, the King Charles 5p is the latest milestone in the gradual transition of UK coinage under the new monarch.
