The short version
- Millions of newly minted 10p coins featuring King Charles III and the capercaillie are entering UK circulation after a four-year gap in production.
- The design aims to raise awareness about the threatened grouse species, with officials noting that more coins exist than wild birds.
- The Bank of England is evaluating public votes to replace historical figures on banknotes with images of native wildlife.
A redesigned 10p coin has entered circulation in the United Kingdom, marking the first release of newly minted pieces in this denomination since approximately four years ago. The Royal Mint confirmed that these coins, which bear the portrait of King Charles III on the obverse, are now available through banks and post offices across the country. This distribution follows a period where existing stock was sufficient to meet demand, delaying the introduction of the new design until recently.
The reverse side of the coin features an illustration of the capercaillie, also known as the great northern grouse. This bird is native to a small region in Scotland and is currently listed on the UK conservation red list due to rapid population declines. The Royal Mint selected this species as part of a broader initiative launched in October 2023 to celebrate the monarch’s interest in the natural world. The new design suite replaces previous imagery with depictions of British flora and fauna across all coin denominations, ranging from the 1p to the £2.
Production figures indicate that 600,000 coins dated 2023 and 6.5 million dated 2026 have been issued. Despite this influx, the new 10p coins represent a tiny fraction of the total currency in use. With approximately 1.4 billion 10p coins already circulating and 24.1 billion coins of all denominations in the UK, the King Charles III series accounts for only about one percent of the total supply. Consequently, these new pieces are likely to be sought after by collectors and numismatists.
The decision to release the coins now stems from increased demand rather than a scheduled replacement cycle. Older coins featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender and continue to circulate widely. The Royal Mint only strikes new coins when necessary to replace worn or lost currency, which explains the delay in introducing the updated design for the 10p denomination. Other denominations, such as the 5p, 50p, and £1, had already seen earlier releases of the King’s portrait.
The artistic rendering of the capercaillie was created by Mike Langman, a former illustrator for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). His work is familiar to many from nature reserves managed by the charity. Rebecca Morgan, director at The Royal Mint in Llantrisant, South Wales, emphasized the conservation message behind the design. She noted that the number of coins entering circulation far exceeds the remaining wild population of the bird, serving as a stark reminder of its precarious status.
Morgan stated that the goal is to spark a nationwide conversation about species at risk of vanishing from Britain. By placing the image of the capercaillie in millions of pockets and purses, the Mint hopes to draw public attention to the extinction threat facing the grouse. The RSPB has warned that the UK population has declined so sharply that the species faces the possibility of extinction for a second time in history.
Beyond coins, the Bank of England is considering similar nature-themed updates for its banknotes. Historical figures such as Sir Winston Churchill are expected to be replaced on the next series of £5, £50 notes with images of wildlife. A public vote was held to select candidates from a shortlist of 18 animals, birds, and insects. Puffins, pine martens, and bumblebees are among the species under consideration for future currency designs.
The final decision on banknote imagery rests with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who is expected to announce the outcome in the autumn. The selection process will weigh public voting results alongside security considerations for the new notes. This shift toward natural history themes marks a significant departure from traditional portraiture on British currency, reflecting a broader cultural emphasis on environmental conservation.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Business↗New 10p coin enters circulation - will you spot one?
