CORONATION 50p FIRST LOOK: King Charles Crowned Portrait Revealed

The FIRST crowned coin portrait of King Charles III has JUST been revealed as a special effigy for the UK’s coronation coin range.

The coins will be available from 9am on 24.04.2023 on Westminster Collection’s website but you’ll need to get ahead of the crowd if you want to add them to your collection…

Below, I explain why these 50p and £5 coins are sure to become some of the most sought-after EVER…

First King Charles Crowned Portrait

In a unique collecting opportunity, the UK Coronation coins feature the very first crowned portrait of His Majesty.

2023 UK Coronation Coins featuring Crowned Portrait of His Majesty.
2023 UK Coronation Coins featuring Crowned Portrait of His Majesty.

King Charles III’s uncrowned portrait has been used on recent UK coins, stamps, and banknotes – maintaining a tradition for male monarchs which dates back centuries.

So, what does this mean for the unusual inclusion of a crowned portrait on the coronation coin range?

These coins will be truly unique; they could be some of the only coins ever issued to feature His Majesty wearing a crown.

UK Coronation Coin Designs

As well as the obverse design, we’ve got a first look at the reverse design of the Coronation 50p and £5 coins.

50p

UK Coronation 50p Reverse Design.
UK Coronation 50p Reverse Design.

The Coronation 50p is truly the first of its kind. Never before has the UK seen a Coronation 50p.

The brand new reverse shows a section of Westminster Abbey, where His Majesty will be crowned on the 6th May 2023.

This is set against the Royal Cypher, featuring the same crown that His Majesty can be seen wearing on the obverse design.

£5

UK Coronation £5 Reverse Design.
UK Coronation £5 Reverse Design.

The £5 coin shows a depiction of the St Edward’s Crown accompanied by the sovereign’s sceptre with dove and the sovereign’s sceptre with cross.

It also features the inscription, “THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6 MAY 2023”.

50p to enter circulation!

And, the best news is that 5 million 50ps will enter circulation later this year, featuring the original, uncrowned effigy by Martin Jennings.

This follows the five million memorial 50ps that have already entered circulation – the very first 50p to feature King Charles III’s portrait.

Find out more on our blog by clicking here.

A great collecting story

These coins have all the hallmarks of a great collecting story so they’re sure to be snapped up quickly by collectors.

Just think back to last year’s Platinum Jubilee record sell-out. All limited edition specifications of the 50p and £5 sold out in less than 24 hours!

You’ll need to get ahead of the crowd if you’re wanting to secure these coins for your collection when they’re issued.

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Top 10 Places to find the King Charles III 50p

Since 4.9 million 50ps bearing the first portrait of King Charles III entered circulation last year, collectors have been on the lookout for His Majesty in their change.

We asked you to help us hunt down the first King Charles III 50p by entering your postcode into our map as soon as you found the new 50p. We’ve tracked the coin up and down the country, from Inverness to Penzance, but where in the UK are you most likely to find the King Charles III 50p?

Here are the top 10 places to find Charles in your Change…

10. North Wales (Llandudno)

1.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Llandudno (LL) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - North Wales
Charles in your Change Map – North Wales

9. Glasgow

1.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Glasgow (G) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Glasgow
Charles in your Change Map – Glasgow

8. Birmingham

1.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Birmingham (B) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Birmingham
Charles in your Change Map – Birmingham

7. Oxford

2.2% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Oxford (OX) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Oxford
Charles in your Change Map – Oxford

6. Derby

2.2% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Derby (DE) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Derby
Charles in your Change Map – Derby

5. Newport

2.5% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Newport (NP) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Newport
Charles in your Change Map – Newport

4. Stoke on Trent

2.8% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Stoke on Trent (ST) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Stoke on Trent
Charles in your Change Map – Stoke on Trent

3. Nottingham

2.87% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Nottingham (NG) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Nottingham
Charles in your Change Map – Nottingham

2. Northern Ireland (Belfast)

2.9% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Belfast (BT) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Belfast
Charles in your Change Map – Belfast

1. Newcastle Upon Tyne

3.2% of King Charles III 50ps were found in Newcastle Upon Tyne (NE) postcodes.

Charles in your Change Map - Newcastle Upon Tyne
Charles in your Change Map – Newcastle Upon Tyne

Not forgetting London…

An honourable mention goes to Greater London which had 16 entries across 8 postcodes (making up a whopping 5.1% of all KCIII 50ps found).

Do you live in one of these areas? If so, you’re highly likely to come across a King Charles III 50p in your change. You can view the Charles in your Change map in full to check your own area here >>

Make sure you’re using cash where possible to maximise your chances, and who knows, maybe you’ll find other commemorative coins along the way.

Yet to find a King Charles III 50p?

If you’re yet to find a King Charles III 50p, you can secure one in Brilliant Uncirculated quality for your collection here >>

UK’s Official King Charles III Coronation Coins Confirmed

The Treasury has today confirmed the Official UK King Charles III Coronation Coins, ahead of the biggest royal occasion for decades.

To avoid missing out on what is set to be the most sought-after release in decades, you can sign-up to receive the very latest updates (including when these coins will be available to purchase!). Click here to register your interest.

Marking the first UK coronation in 70 years, a brand new 50p and £5 coin will be issued.

Official UK Coronation Coins - 50p and £5 designs confirmed.

As detailed in the latest Royal Proclamation, the coins are expected to feature the below designs.

King Charles III Coronation 50p

The Royal Proclamation reveals the reverse of the 50p coin will show the Royal cypher set against a depiction of a section of the exterior of Westminster Abbey.

We’re not sure yet if the 50p coin will enter circulation but you can be assured Change Checker will update you as soon as we hear any difference.

King Charles III Coronation £5

The reverse design of the £5 coin will show a depiction of the St Edward’s Crown accompanied by the sovereign’s sceptre with dove and the sovereign’s sceptre with cross with the inscription “THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6 MAY 2023”.

According to the Royal Proclamation, the coin will feature the inscription “· GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS KING”, save for the cupro-nickel coin which shall have a grained edge.


With the demand seen for the very first King Charles III 50p and £5 coins following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the brand new King Charles III coronation coins are sure to be highly sought-after with collectors.


AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT – sign up for updates on the official UK coronation coins

Demand for these coins is sure to outweigh supply.

Use our form below to register your interest for the UK’s first Coronation coins.

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Guarantee all future UK King Charles III coins for your collection

Join the Change Checker UK CERTIFIED BU Subscription Service and receive the very latest UK King Charles III coins sent to your door without the hassle of placing orders on the day of release!

Click here to sign-up today, completely for free >>