Almost three million (2.975 million) of the fresh versions will be issued to banks and Post Offices across the nation.
The ‘definitives’ collection – as all eight coins are known – was made available to purchase when the designs were released in October last year. But, this is the first time you can use them on the high street should you get your hands on one.
One of the new features of the designs is the larger ‘£1’ that appears on the ‘tails’ side. This is to help children see the value of the coin clearer, and this design is matched by the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p and £2 versions.
All of the new editions pay tribute to the monarch’s love of conservation and the new £1 coin shows two bees on the reverse of His Majesty’s image. This is to symbolise the more than 250 species that exist in Britain.
Old coins still available to use
However, don’t panic if you have a money jar of coins filling up at home, as you will still be able to use the old £1 coin with Queen Elizabeth II’s image on it.
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The Royal Mint told YourMoney.com that all coinage bearing the late monarch’s portrait will remain legal tender, with no date set yet for this to change.
You can also use old banknotes following the circulation of the new £5, £10, £20 and £50 editions. To lessen the environmental impact, the new notes will only gradually enter circulation to replace worn or damaged notes.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, said: “The Royal Mint has made the circulating coinage of each of Britain’s monarchs since Alfred the Great and it is an honour to reveal that King Charles III’s £1 coin is now in circulation.
“We know there’ll be a buzz of excitement amongst collectors and the public to get this special piece of history in their change. We hope the designs across all denominations spark important conversations about the conservation of these important species.”
