The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra has unveiled the new effigy of King Charles III which will appear on $1 coins before Christmas.
Since 1953, all Australian coins feature Queen Elizabeth II, with the late monarch’s coins remaining in circulation as legal tender.
From the end of this year, coins will begin to bear the image of King Charles III, with some slight differences.
As tradition dictates, Her Majesty will be facing left, in the opposite direction to that of her mother.
The effigy, designed by the Royal Mint in London and approved by Buckingham Palace, will also depict the king without a crown.
This is consistent with the first depiction of Queen Elizabeth II on Australian currency.
The Mint plans to introduce 10 million King Charles III $1 coins through banks this year before striking other coin denominations in 2024.
“The best way to access one of these coins… is to use cash. If you use cash and get change, you increase your chances of getting a coin,” said Leigh Gordon, chief executive of the Royal Australian Mint.
