It’s the end of an era for UK currency. The very last £1 coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II are now entering circulation, marking a poignant moment in history.
These coins were actually struck back in 2022, before the late Queen passed away. The Royal Mint always keeps fresh batches of coins on hand to replace old ones that wear out or are lost, which is why millions are only just reaching people’s pockets now.
In total, more than 23 million of these “final” £1 coins will be released. That makes them the rarest of all the pound coins to carry Elizabeth II’s image — despite the fact they’ll be circulating alongside billions of others already in use. Interestingly, even though they’re appearing in 2025, they carry the year 2022, the last year of her reign.
But this isn’t just about the past. For the first time ever, £1 coins featuring King Charles III are also being released into circulation. Until now, his portrait has only appeared on special collector’s editions.
The new design includes a bee on the reverse — a nod to the King’s lifelong passion for nature and conservation. This continues the theme set in 2023, when it was announced that his first circulating coins would highlight animals and environmental causes close to his heart.
So far, about 7.5 million Charles III £1 coins are being put into everyday use. That may sound like a lot, but considering there are nearly 25 billion pound coins already out there, they’ll make up a tiny fraction — just 0.004% of the total.
For everyday shoppers, there’s no need to worry: all coins featuring Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender until they naturally fade out of use. King Charles himself requested that no existing money be withdrawn early, both to reduce waste and keep costs down. Instead, new coins with his portrait will only be made when the old ones need replacing.
It’s a small change you might spot in your change — but a big historical moment, as one monarch’s legacy makes way for another’s. Photo by Abxbay, Wikimedia commons.
