King Charles coins to circulate in December

Article content

WINNIPEG — The Royal Canadian Mint will soon begin producing Canadian coins bearing the face of King Charles.

On the King’s 75th birthday, the Winnipeg-based facility is set to showcase its design of the new British monarch that will appear on one side of all its coins, replacing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Article content

The design by Montreal-based portrait artist Steven Rosati was chosen from among submissions by 350 artists. He is only the third Canadian artist to have designed a royal effigy for Canada’s coinage since 1990, the mint said in a press release.

Article content

Rosati’s design was sent to Buckingham Palace for approval.

Earlier this year, the federal government directed the mint and the Bank of Canada to replace the image of the queen with one of the King on coins and on the $20 bill.

A spokesperson for the Bank of Canada says it has started the design process for the new bill, but it will likely be years before it is issued.

“At this stage, it is far too early to be more precise about when the design of the note will be unveiled and when the note will begin to circulate,” said Rebecca Spence.

“The current $20 note will continue to circulate for years to come.”

The monarch’s effigy is to be pressed onto a loonie for the first time at the mint on Tuesday.

“The Royal effigy on our coinage is an important Canadian symbol,” said Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. “Steven Rosati’s portrait is a fitting tribute, and Canada is proud to mark His Majesty’s birthday with the striking of this first circulation coin.”

The mint said a small amount of 2023-dated coins in all denominations with the King’s likeness are to circulate in early December.

Article content

Coin exchanges are set to take place later in the month at the mint’s Ottawa and Winnipeg boutiques.

Rosati has designed other coins for the mint, including six silver National Hockey League goalie coins and a 100th anniversary commemorative loonie in honour of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The mint previously released pure gold and silver collector coins to mark the King’s coronation.

The King ascended to the throne in September 2022, following the death of his 96-year-old mother, who reigned for 70 years. He celebrated the beginning of his reign with a glitzy coronation that was attended by world leaders including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

All Canadian coins still in circulation with the queen will still be considered legal tender.

Share this article in your social network