The first 10p coins featuring King Charles III have entered circulation across the UK.
The Royal Mint has released 600,000 coins dated 2023 and 6.5 million dated 2026 following increased demand for the denomination.
It is the first time a 10p coin bearing The King’s portrait has entered circulation.
The reverse of the coin features the capercaillie, one of the UK’s most endangered birds. The species is found in the Scottish Highlands and is at risk of becoming extinct in the UK for a second time.
The coins are available through bank and Post Office branches nationwide.
King Charles III coins currently account for around one per cent of the 24.142 billion coins in circulation across the UK.
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.”
The 10p is the fourth denomination bearing King Charles III’s portrait to enter circulation. It follows the 5p, 50p and £1 coins released since 2022.
The Royal Mint is encouraging people to check their change as the new coins begin appearing in tills, pockets and purses.
Coins bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and will continue to circulate.