The first 10p coins bearing King Charles III's portrait are entering circulation for the first time. The Royal Mint has announced that 600,000 2023-dated and 6.5 million 2026-dated King Charles III 10p coins will be in use across the UK.
The coins are being released due to increased demand for the 10p denomination, marking a significant milestone in British numismatic history.
It will be the first time the 10p denomination has entered circulation bearing King Charles III's official portrait. The release creates another opportunity for coin collectors and the public to find these historic pieces in their everyday change.
Design and conservation theme
The new 10p coins feature the Capercaillie on the reverse (tails) to highlight one of the UK's most endangered birds. The Capercaillie population has declined so rapidly that it is now at very real risk of extinction in the UK for a second time and is listed as a "Red List" species.
The design is part of His Majesty's Definitive collection, inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles and highlighting King Charles III's passion for conservation. The coins will be available through post offices and bank branches nationwide.
Royal Mint statement
Rebecca Morgan, director at The Royal Mint, said: "This is a landmark moment for the nation's coinage, as people begin finding the very first 10p coins bearing The King's portrait in their change.
"It's what's on the reverse (tails) that makes this coin truly remarkable, the Capercaillie, a bird found only in the Scottish Highlands, and one now teetering on the edge of extinction. It's a stark reminder that more of these coins will enter circulation than there are Capercaillies left in the wild. We hope that by putting this extraordinary bird into millions of pockets and purses, we can spark a nationwide conversation about a species at real risk of vanishing from Britain forever."
Circulation and availability
This is the fourth denomination bearing King Charles III's portrait to enter circulation. The 10p follows on from the 5p, 50p and £1 coin having entered circulation since 2022.
Since the introduction of His Majesty's portrait on UK coinage in 2022, collectors have been eagerly waiting for the coins bearing the new royal portrait. With King Charles III coins representing approximately 1% of the 24.142 billion coins currently in circulation across the UK, these new 10p pieces will be highly sought after.
The Royal Mint encourages the public to check their change over the coming weeks, as these new coins begin to appear in tills and pockets across the nation. A quantity of 10p coins will also be available at tills in the Royal Mint Experience, The Royal Mint's visitor attraction based in South Wales.
All UK coins bearing the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender and in active circulation, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal environmental impact and cost.
