The Royal Mint has introduced over seven million new 10p coins bearing King Charles III's portrait, marking a significant milestone in British coinage.
The Royal Mint has unveiled a significant addition to the nation’s currency: more than seven million new 10p coins featuring the portrait of King Charles III. This marks the first time the King’s likeness has appeared on this denomination, which will begin circulating from August 25, 2026.
The release includes 600,000 coins dated 2026 and 6.5 million dated 2026, responding to increased demand for the 10p denomination. These coins follow the 5p, 50p, and £1 coins that have already entered circulation since 2026, bearing Charles’s portrait.
The Design and Its Significance
The new 10p coins feature the capercaillie bird on the reverse side, part of a collection inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles. This design reflects the King’s passion for conservation and aims to raise awareness about the endangered species.
Rebecca Morgan, director at the Royal Mint, highlighted the importance of this release: “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.” She added, “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.”
The Transition and Availability
Coins bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and will continue to circulate alongside the new 10p coins. This approach ensures a smooth transition with minimal environmental impact and cost. Currently, Charles’s coins represent just 1% of the 24.142 billion coins in circulation across the UK, making the new 10p coins highly sought after.
The coins will be available through post offices, bank branches, and the Royal Mint Experience in South Wales. This availability ensures that the public can easily access and collect these new additions to the nation’s currency.
The Future of Cash in the UK
A recent report from UK Finance reveals that despite the decline in cash usage, a significant number of people still rely on it. Around 1.4 million UK adults mainly use cash for their day-to-day spending, while 19 million use it once a month or less frequently. This reflects a wide variation in payment preferences among the population.
Cash use fell to 3.9 billion payments in 2026, down from 4.3 billion the previous year. The report indicates that cash represented 8% of payments in 2026, falling from 9% in 2026 and 45% in 2015. By 2035, cash use is expected to account for just 4% of payments made in the UK, with around two billion transactions.
As the nation continues to embrace digital payment methods, the introduction of these new 10p coins serves as a reminder of the enduring significance of physical currency and the rich history it carries.
