New Coin Info - March 2023
Author: Connor Campbell - Bullion & Economics Editor
Published: 13 Mar 2023
Last Updated: 15 Mar 2023
Synopsis
On May 6th, 2023, Charles III and Camilla will be coronated as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations, with commemorative coins being released by the Royal Mint. The coins will feature the Royal Arms against an embellished backdrop, with the inscription "THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6 MAY 2023." A new Myths and Legends coin release featuring Merlin or Morgan Le Fay will feature the first definitive portrait of Charles III, and a new sovereign series will be released. The King Charles III coronation crown coins will depict the St Edward's Crown and sovereign's sceptre, while the 50p coins will feature the Royal Cypher and Westminster Abbey.
Royal Mint King Charles III Coronation Coins
On the 6th of May 2023, Westminster Abbey is set to be the venue for the coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, who will ascend to the throne as king and queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations. After the passing of his mother, Elizabeth II, Charles took over as the new monarch on September 8th, 2022.
The reverse of these coins feature the following:
- The reverse design of these coins display the Royal Arms placed against an embellished backdrop, complemented with cartouches displaying the regal cypher and three interlocking Cs. The inscription on these coins reads as: "THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6 MAY 2023".
The specification of these King Charles III coronation coins are:
| Denomination | Metal | Diameter | Weight | Fineness | Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz) |
| £15,000 | Gold | 220 mm | 15030 g | 999 | 482.74 |
| £5,000 | Gold | 175 mm | 5015 g | 999 | 161.07 |
| £2,000 | Gold | 150 mm | 2010 g | 999 | 64.55 |
| £1,000 | Gold | 100 mm | 1005 g | 999 | 32.27 |
| £500 | Gold | 50 mm | 156.295 g | 999.9 | 5.01 |
| £200 | Gold | 40 mm | 62.42 g | 999.9 | 2.004 |
| £100 | Gold | 32.69 mm | 31.21 g | 999.9 | 1.002 |
| £25 | Gold | 22 mm | 7.8 g | 999.9 | 0.250 |
| 50p | Gold | 8 mm | 0.8 g | 999.9 | 0.025 |
| £500 | Silver | 100 mm | 1005 g | 999 | 32.27 |
| £10 | Silver | 65 mm | 156.295 | 999 | 5.01 |
| £5 | Silver | 40 mm | 62.86 g | 999 | 2.004 |
| £2 | Silver | 38.61 mm | 31.21 g | 999 | 1.002 |
What Is the Myths & Legends Series?
Myths and Legends is a series of gold & silver bullion coins by the Royal Mint that feature some of the most legendary mythical beings ever! To learn more about the Myths and Legends bullion series read our Myths and Legends blog.
With the unfortunate passing of Queen Elizabeth II during the second series of Myths and Legends (King Arthur), it has been confirmed that the upcoming release, along with all future releases, will showcase the first definitive portrait of His Majesty King Charles III, crafted by Martin Jennings.
Merlin or Morgan Le Fay?
The legend of Merlin
Merlin is a mythical person that features in the legend of King Arthur and is best known for being Arthur's mentor. Merlin in the tale is a mage that is told by King Uther to take his son to safety as the Saxons was attacking Britain. The legend has many interpretations to what happened to King Uther but all lead to the strong king and the defender of his people to being assassinated or killed in battle.
Merlin then acts as Arthur's mentor and father figure to ensure he is ready to be King of Camelot. Throughout the tale Merlin sees King Arthur pull the Excalibur, a magical sword, from a stone and grow into a noble and strong king.
The legend of Morgan Le Fay
Morgan is a powerful enchantress in the legend that is the evil half-sister of King Arthur that wishes to cause him pain. By the end of the tale Morgan does quite a good job in destroying King Arthur and his kingdom.
The reverse of these new bullion coins feature one of the following:
- A depiction of Merlin with the inscription “MERLIN · MYTHS AND LEGENDS ·"
- A depiction of Morgan Le Fay with the inscription “MORGAN LE FAY · MYTHS AND LEGENDS ·”
- (10 oz silver only) a depiction of King Arthur with the inscription “KING ARTHUR · 10OZ · FINE SILVER · 999.9
The specification of these Royal Mint Myths and Legends coins are:
| Denomination | Metal | Diameter | Weight | Fineness | Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz) |
| £100 | Gold | 32.69 mm | 31.21 g | 999.9 | 1.002 |
| £25 | Gold | 22 mm | 7.8 g | 999.9 | 0.250 |
| £10 | Silver | 89 mm | 311.53 g | 999.9 | 10.00 |
| £5 | Silver | 40 mm | 62.86 g | 999 | 2.01 |
| £2 | Silver | 38.61 mm | 31.21 g | 999 | 1.002 |
| £5 | Cupro Nickel | 38.61 mm | 28.28 g | N/A | N/A |
The 2023 Sovereign?
During the March 2023 Privy Council meeting, it was revealed that a new sovereign series shall be launched, featuring a comprehensive collection of sovereigns, ranging from quintuple to quarter denominations. As of now, it is highly anticipated that this could very well be the highly sought-after 2023 sovereign, and we eagerly await additional information regarding this announcement.
The reverse of these coins feature the following:
A depiction of St George armed, sitting on horseback, attacking a dragon with a sword, and a broken spear upon the ground, and the date of the year.
The specification of these Royal Mint Sovereign coins are:
| Denomination | Metal | Diameter | Weight | Fineness | Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz) |
| £5 | Gold | 36.02 mm | 39.94 g | 0.9167 | 1.177 |
| £2 | Gold | 28.4 mm | 15.976 g | 0.9167 | 0.4708 |
| £1 | Gold | 22.05 mm | 7.988 g | 0.9167 | 0.2354 |
| 50p | Gold | 19.3 mm | 3.994 g | 0.9167 | 0.1177 |
| 25p | Gold | 13.5 mm | 1.1997 g | 0.9167 | 0.059 |
King Charles III Coronation Crown Coins
The reverse of these King Charles III coronation crown coins feature:
- An illustration of the St Edward's Crown, paired with the sovereign's sceptre that features a dove and the sovereign's sceptre with a cross, shall be depicted on the coins, alongside the inscription "THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6 MAY 2023".
- The coins shall have a plain edge and in incuse letters the inscription “· GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS KING”.
- However, the cupro-nickel coin shall have a grained edge.
The specification of these King Charles III coronation crown coins are:
| Denomination | Metal | Diameter | Weight | Fineness | Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz) |
| £5 | Gold | 38.61 mm | 28.28 g | 999 | 0.90 |
| £5 | Silver | 38.61 mm | 28.28 g | 925 | 0.841 |
| £5 | Piedfort | 38.61 mm | 56.56 g | 925 | 1.682 |
| £5 | Cupro Nickel | 38.61 mm | 28.28 g | N/A | N/A |
King Charles III Coronation 50p Coins
The reverse of these King Charles III coronation crown coins feature:
- An illustration of our Royal Cypher set against a depiction of a section of the exterior of Westminster Abbey.
The specification of these King Charles III coronation 50p coins are:
| Denomination | Metal | Diameter | Weight | Fineness | Actual Metal Weight (Troy oz) |
| 50p | Gold | 27.3 mm | 15.5 g | 0.9167 | 0.456 |
| 50p | Silver | 27.3 mm | 8 g | 925 | 0.237 |
| 50p | Piedfort | 27.3 mm | 16 g | 925 | 0.475 |
| 50p | Cupro Nickel | 27.3 mm | 8 g | N/A | N/A |
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