A new 10 pence coin featuring King Charles III and the capercaillie, the world's largest grouse, has entered circulation in Britain. The Royal Mint has released more than 7 million of these coins, with the expectation that they will be highly sought after. The coins, minted in October 2023 and in 2026, are being circulated in response to increased demand for the 10p denomination.
The release marks the first time newly minted 10p coins have entered circulation in approximately four years. The Royal Mint stated that 600,000 coins dated 2023 and 6.5 million coins dated 2026 have been distributed to banks and post offices nationwide. The 2023 versions are expected to be rarer and potentially become collector's items.
The new coin displays King Charles III's effigy on the obverse, with an image of the endangered capercaillie on the reverse. The capercaillie, found in a small region of Scotland, is at risk of extinction. The illustration of the bird on the coin was created by artist Mike Langman, who previously worked with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Rebecca Morgan, a director at The Royal Mint, highlighted the significance of the coin's design. "It's a stark reminder that more of these coins will enter circulation than there are capercaillies left in the wild," Morgan said. "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 reverse side of all newly minted British coins, from 1p to £2, feature the country's flora and fauna. The 10p coin is the fourth denomination bearing King Charles III's portrait to be introduced into circulation, following the 5p, 50p, and £1 coins since 2022.
The Royal Mint is encouraging the public to examine their change in the coming weeks as the new coins become more common. Additional new 10p coins will also be available at the Royal Mint Experience, the institution's visitor attraction in South Wales. Currently, there are approximately 24.142 billion coins in circulation in Britain, with those featuring King Charles III representing about 1 percent of that total. Coins bearing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender.