FEATURE ARTICLE
Early kings of Britain also used coin effigies to underline their importance to the realm . With the rise of the House of Tudor in the 15 th century , monarchical coin portraits tended to be shown in profile , a convention that continues to the present day .
In contemporary Australia , the Currency Act requires that the official effigy of the reigning monarch must be on all our coins . Symbolising official legal tender status and thus acceptability in return for goods and services , the effigy is an intrinsic element of our coinage and one of the key points of interest for collectors and numismatists .
WHICH WAY DOES IT FACE ?
King Charles II , who was restored to the throne in 1660 , 11 years after England had become a republic , is shown facing to the right ( as you look at his coins ). It was said he wished to “ turn his back ” on Oliver Cromwell , who as Lord Protector of The Commonwealth , had coins struck featuring his left facing profile . Fact or fiction , it set a precedent which means each new monarch faces in the opposite direction to his or her predecessor .
It is the reason His Majesty King Charles III looks left , in contrast to his right facing mother , Queen Elizabeth II .
THE EFFIGY OF HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES III
The official Commonwealth Effigy of His Majesty King Charles III made its first appearance on Australian coins in 2023 . Fulfilling its mandate to provide a detailed and accurate portrait of the new monarch , it was created by Welsh illustrator and coin designer Dan Thorne .
Approved by the King as a true reflection of His Majesty ’ s character , the likeness rests upon the talented artist ’ s careful examination of past coins and medals , coupled with extensive study of Charle and his accomplishments .
Evidence that effigies remain key points of interest for collectors and numismatists , The Perth Mint ’ s first coin bearing the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III was a near-instant sell out .
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