Final Rare Queen Elizabeth II £1 Coins Enter UK Circulation

The Royal Mint has begun releasing the final batch of Queen Elizabeth II £1 coins, dated 2022, which are now the rarest £1 coins in active circulation across the UK. Over 23 million of these coins are entering circulation alongside 7.5 million new King Charles III £1 coins, marking a historic transition in British coinage that physically represents the monarchy's changeover from the longest-reigning monarch to her son. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, emphasized this release as a pivotal moment in British coinage history and encouraged the public to check their change, as discovering these coins could spark interest in numismatics and appreciation of the nation’s heritage. The King’s £1 coins feature an intricate bee design on the reverse, part of a Definitive collection inspired by the British Isles’ flora and fauna, and represent a very small fraction of the total 24.7 billion coins in circulation. This dual release symbolizes both continuity and change, offering collectors and the public a unique opportunity to connect with the craftsmanship and history behind British currency.