**** Canada Mint Release
On September 8, 2022, upon the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales acceded to the Throne and became His Majesty King Charles III. King Charles III is Canada’s first new monarch in 70 years
A new royal era.
We are pleased to confirm that, following today’s announcement by the Government of Canada that the portrait of Canada’s reigning monarch will continue to grace the obverse of Canadian coins, we have initiated the process of developing an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III.
Having produced royal effigies for Canadian coins since we first opened our doors in 1908, the team is eager to apply more than a century of skill and experience to this historic task. We are also tapping into the talent of our engravers, as well as over 350 coin artists, of all backgrounds and from all parts of Canada, to solicit their vision of His Majesty’s portrait.
We look forward to sharing a final, official design with Canadians this fall.
The process to create a new design for the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III is complex and involves many steps:
- Following the Government of Canada’s announcement, an email invitation will be sent to more than 350 artists in our database as well as to our Mint engravers.
- Each artist and engraver who responds with a notice of interest and a required portfolio of portrait work will be evaluated. Each shortlisted artist and engraver will receive an artist brief outlining mandatory design requirements.
- Design concepts will be evaluated by an internal Mint review panel that will judge submissions based on aesthetics, technical requirements and mass-production suitability.
- The winning design will be submitted for necessary government and Buckingham Palace approvals.
- The Mint will then begin the engraving and tooling process where dies are created to strike the coins.
- Production, or striking, of new circulation coins will begin.
- Striking of the new effigy on numismatic and bullion coins will follow.
Facts about the new effigy
What will the effigy look like?
In keeping with long-standing tradition, His Majesty King Charles III’s profile will face left. This is the opposite direction in which the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was depicted. The initials of the winning artist will also appear on the obverse.
Why didn’t we use the British effigy since it is already finished and approved?
Canadian coins have featured a royal effigy designed by Canadian artists since 1990 (Dora de Pédery-Hunt from 1990-2002 and Susanna Blunt from 2003 to the present). It is important that we continue to showcase the talent of Canadian artists on coins that will circulate by the millions across Canada for many years.
When will we see the new effigy?
We hope to be in a position to show Canadians the new effigy design in the fall, once the design process had been completed and the necessary approvals obtained.
When will I find one in my change?
We cannot provide an exact timeline as of yet but details will be shared when the new effigy is unveiled.
Why is The King going on our coins?
The decision on the permanent obverse lies exclusively with the Government of Canada. As Canada’s coin manufacturer, we will apply our considerable skill and expertise producing royal effigies on Canadian coins to the important and historic task the Government has assigned us.
Will coins bearing the image of The Late Queen need to be taken out of circulation/replaced with coins featuring The King?
All coins currently in circulation remain legal tender, regardless of the fact that our monarch has changed. As coins have a life span of over 20 years, Canadians can expect to see “Queen” coins in circulation for many more years.
