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This week sees the launch of one of the most significant coins in His Majesty’s Definitive collection from The Royal Mint, the £1, which is the first to bear the portrait of King Charles III. A total of 2.975 million £1 coins have been issued to Post Offices and banks across the UK.

The design - which also features bees - is part of a series inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles, in keeping with King Charles’ conservational passion. It is one of eight new designs on everything from 1p up to the £2 coin, featuring animals such as the Hazel Dormouse, the Puffin and the Atlantic Salmon - all species in active conservation programmes.

Following the reveal of the designs, production began, with several million struck by The Royal Mint in South Wales. The Atlantic Salmon 50p was the first of the eight to enter circulation at the end of 2023.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins 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.”